Have your say on extra councillors

The number of borough councillors in Ashford could be increased.

The borough currently has 43 councillors but the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is recommending there should be four more and wants residents’ views on this proposal.

The commission is asking people for their help to draw up a new pattern of council wards for Ashford Borough Council as the first part of an electoral review which will re-draw ward boundaries across the borough.

The commission now needs i nformation f r om people and groups across Ashford to help it produce a way of accommodating 47 councillors, which it says will better deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters.

The Commission says any responses will be carefully considered and residents will then have a further chance to have their say after it publishes its draft recommendations in November.

Residents have until September 5 to submit their views. Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing wards can be found at consultation.lgbce.org.uk and lgbce. org.uk.