Have your say on new ward boundaries for Telford and Wrekin

Following a public consultation late last year, the Commission has also announced that it is minded to recommend that the council should continue to have 54 councillors in the future.

The Commission now needs information from people and groups across Telford and Wrekin to help it to produce a new pattern of wards to accommodate 54 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 the borough.

Max Caller, Chair of the Commission, said: “The starting point of an electoral review is for the Commission to take a view on the number of councillors who should represent the authority in future. On the evidence presented to the Commission, we are minded to recommend that Telford and Wrekin should continue to have 54 councillors in future.

“We are now asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for the borough. As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.

“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 borough or just a small part of it.

“We will publish all the submissions on our website so that local people can see all the various proposals we receive. Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in June 2013.”

Local people have until 8 April 2013 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 www.lgbce.org.uk.