Have your say on new council boundaries

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking local people for their help to draw up a new pattern of council wards for Exeter City Council.

The consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will re-draw ward boundaries across the city.

The Commission has also announced that it is minded to recommend that the council should have 39 councillors in the future: one fewer than the current arrangements.

The Commission now needs information from people and groups across Exeter to help it to produce a new pattern of wards to accommodate 39 city councillors.

In drawing up new boundaries, the Commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across Exeter.

Max Caller, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for Exeter. As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.

“If you have a view about which communities or neighbourhoods should be part of the same council ward, then we want to hear from you. And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part of Exeter, then this consultation is for you. Alternatively, if you’re simply interested in the way the city is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say.

“Your views will make a difference. 

“We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole of Exeter or just a small part of the city.

“Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in June.”

Local people have until 31 March 2015 to submit their views. Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing wards can be found at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk.