10 November 2009

The independent Boundary Committee for England is asking people in Cheshire to comment on proposed new local electoral arrangements for Cheshire East and Cheshire West & Chester Councils.

The reviews will decide how many councillors should sit on the new unitary authorities and will also establish new boundaries for the council’s wards. The Committee's draft recommendations, published today, include maps of the proposed new wards that each councillor will represent. The recommendations should be available at council buildings and libraries, or online at www.boundarycommittee.org.uk

Max Caller, chair of the Boundary Committee, said: "Having fair electoral boundaries is important, especially given that the new unitary authorities in Cheshire are less than a year old. Our reviews aim at ensuring electoral equality, meaning that each councillor should represent a similar number of people."

"Earlier this year, we asked people and groups in both council areas to tell us how many councillors the council should have and the areas that each councillor should represent. That information forms the basis of our draft recommendations. Now we want people to tell us what they feel the impact of the recommendations will be on their community, if they think they can be improved, and what those changes should be."

The Committee wants to hear as much clear and well-argued evidence as possible in order to develop final recommendations for both councils. If you would like to make a submission to the Boundary Committee, please write by 1 February 2010 to:

The Boundary Committee for England (Cheshire East or Cheshire West & Chester review)

Trevelyan House

30 Great Peter Street

London SW1P 2HW

Or email: reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk