Have your say on new Teignbridge ward 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 Teignbridge District Council.

Residents have until 4 July 2016 to submit their views and the consultation forms the first part of an electoral review which will re-draw ward boundaries across the district.

The Commission has also announced that it is minded to recommend that the council should have 46 district councillors in the future: the same as the current arrangements.

At a Full Council meeting on 23 February 2016, Teignbridge councillors considered some options and unanimously recommended retaining the current number of councillors at 46.

The Commission now needs information from people and groups across Teignbridge to help it to produce a new pattern of wards to accommodate 46 district 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 aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across Teignbridge.

Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:"We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for Teignbridge. 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 Teignbridge, then this consultation is for you. Alternatively, if you're simply interested in the way the district 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 Teignbridge or just a small part of the district."

"Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in September."

Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing wards can be found at www.consultationlgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk