Fewer electoral wards in Stratford district

Stratford District Council has agreed to the Boundary Commission’s recommendation to reduce the number of its councillors from 53 to 36 - and a consultation run by the commission to find out how to arrange the new wards recently taken place.

Commission chairman Max Caller 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 Stratford should have 36 councillors in future.

“As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.

“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 district or just a small part of it.”

In a letter to the council’s chief executive, Paul Lankaster, Archie Gall of the commission said: “No substantial arguments were received in opposition to reducing the number of wards. The commission has therefore adopted a council size of 36 for Stratford.

“The commission aims to recommend a pattern of wards that achieves good electorial equality, reflects community identities and interests and provides for effective and convenient local government. It will seek to use strong, easily identifiable boundaries.”

The commission will publish draft its recommendations for the new ward arrangements in October and run another consultation, before setting out its final recommendations next March.

To see interactive maps of the existing wards and read more about the proposals, visit consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk