Have your say on borough’s new council wards
HALTON’S electoral map is poised to be redrawn and the number of councillors cut by two after redrafted plans were published.
A 10-week public consultation is now under way, and due to end on February 11, 2019.
Anyone can have their say on the proposed council wards, boundaries and ward names across the borough.
One of the biggest changes is that The Local Government Boundary Commission For England (LGBCE) has recommended that Halton should have 54 councillors in future, two fewer than at present.
The blueprints also outlined how those councillors should represent 18 three-councillor wards across the borough – nine on either side of the River Mersey.
Several changes have been made to Halton Council’s submissions tabled in August, notably the scrapping of West Runcorn and Mersey View, which have now been replaced with Old Town & Weston Point and South Runcorn.
Full recommendations and detailed interactive maps are available on the commission’s website at consultation.lgbce. org.uk and at 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, the commission chairman, said: “We are publishing proposals for a new pattern of wards across Halton and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.
“Over the next 10 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 Halton and that the pattern of wards can help the council deliver effective local government for local people.
“We will consider all the submissions we receive, whoever they are from, and whether your evidence applies to the whole of the borough or just a part of it.”
The LGBCE has said it wants to hear as much evidence as possible to develop its final recommendations for Halton – but has set a deadline for residents to send their views by February 11, 2019.
To make a submission either ● email reviews@lgbce.org. uk or write to The Review Officer (Halton), Local Government Boundary Commission For England, 1st Floor, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0TL.
Alternatively use https:// consultation. lgbce. org.uk/node/13208