Proposal could change wards
The boundaries of Rutherglen and Cambuslang’s four council wards could be moved under proposals being taken forward by the Boundary Commission.
Residents in the two towns are being asked for their opinion on the proposals during a 12-week public consultation which started last week.
The biggest change would see large parts of Burnside become part of the Rutherglen South ward.
Currently, the boundary runs down Burnside Road and Stonelaw Road to Greystone Avenue. Under the new plans, the boundary would extend eastwards to part of East Kilbride Road and run down Hawthorn Walk. It would also affect parts of Calderwood. Rutherglen Central and North’s boundary could be extended southwards to incorporate Overtoun Park.
Cambuslang East would lose Vicarland with the new border with Cambuslang West extending as far east as the railway bridge on Hamilton Road.
Under the review, Rutherglen South would have an electorate of 10,865, Rutherglen Central and North will be 11,322, Cambuslang West 11,937 and Cambuslang East 11,568.
The Boundary Commission say their proposals will “address forecast disparities” in the two Cambuslang wards as well as other wards throughout the region.
South Lanarkshire Council had previously expressed concern that the changes may lead to recognised communities being split in two.
An alternative proposal was put forward by the council, which chief executive Lindsay Freeland said was “based on direct local knowledge of natural communities and their physical geographical boundaries.”
This seems to have been taken on board by the Commission in terms of the local area, with final proposal matching South Lanarkshire’s own.
If the proposals are given the go-ahead, the overall number of South Lanarkshire councillors could be cut. This will not affect the local area, but the council has slammed the suggestion.
In his last response to the commission, chief executive Lindsay Freeland was critical of the “inconsistent way the Commission has handled the review,” in reference to them introducing the element of deprivation in determining councillor numbers.
He said: “The Council is concerned that the proposal will result in changes in elector to councillor ratios with a greater adverse impact on communities as a result.
“The Council is further concerned that the way in which ward boundaries have been redrawn will have a negative impact on areabased community planning.”
Both South Lanarkshire Council and the Boundary Commission are urging residents to get in touch and have their views on the proposals heard.
You can see the full proposals and information on the Local Government Boundary Commission website.
Comments on the proposals can be submitted at www. consultation. lgbcscotland.gov.uk. You can also email lgbcs@ scottishboundaries.gov.uk or phone 0131 538 7510.
The deadline for responses is Thursday, October 22 2015.
The changes may have a negative impact on area planning