The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking people across Bath and North East Somerset to comment on its draft proposals for new council ward boundaries.
The Commission’s plans would mean six fewer councillors elected to the council in future as well as changes to the boundaries of 29 local wards.
An eleven-week public consultation on the recommendations begins today and will end on 19th February 2018.
The consultation is open to anyone who wants to have their say on new council wards, ward boundaries and ward names across Bath and North East Somerset.
The Commission’s draft recommendations propose that the Bath and North East Somerset Council should have 59 councillors in the future, six fewer than the current arrangements.
The recommendations also outline how those councillors should represent one three-councillor ward, 21 two-councillor wards and 14 one-councillor wards across Bath and North East Somerset.
The full recommendations and detailed interactive maps are available on the Commission’s website at consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk. Hard copies of the Commission’s report and maps will also be available to view at council buildings.
Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are publishing proposals for a new pattern of wards across Bath and North East Somerset and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.
“Over the next eleven weeks, we are asking local people to tell us if they agree with the proposals or if not, how they can be improved.
“Our review aims to deliver electoral equality for local voters. This means that each councillor represents a similar number of people so that everyone’s vote in council elections is worth roughly the same regardless of where you live.
“We also want to ensure that our proposals reflect the interests and identities of local communities across Bath and North East Somerset and that the pattern of wards can help the council deliver effective local government to local people.
“We will consider all the submissions we receive whoever they are from and whether your evidence applies to the whole council area or just part of it.”
The Commission wants to hear as much evidence as possible to develop final recommendations for Bath and North East Somerset.
If you would like to make a submission to the Commission, write to or email them by 19th February 2018 via:
The Review Officer (Bath and North East Somerset)
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
14th floor, Millbank TowerLondon
SW1P 4QP
Email: [email protected]
Have your say directly through the Commission’s consultation portal: https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/9913.