A NORTH East town could be seeing its electoral boundaries for its council wards and now the public are being asked to comment on the new proposals.

The Local Government Boundary Commission is proposing new boundaries for council wards in central and southern areas of Stockton-on-Tees. The Commission is satisfied that it has received sufficient evidence to finalise new ward boundaries for the rest of Stockton-on-Tees.

The Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the new proposals. A seven-week consultation on the proposals will run until 10 January 2022. A full set of final recommendations for the council will then be published in March 2022.

The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It is reviewing Stockton-on-Tees to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and those ward arrangements will help the council work effectively.

The Commission has previously published draft recommendations for Stockton-on-Tees. Its new proposals include changes such as: The recommendation for a single-councillor Grangefield ward, as proposed by local residents.

The adoption of proposals to include the entirety of Kirklevington Parish in Southern Parishes ward, with Little Maltby Farm being placed in Ingleby Barwick South ward.

These two combined changes provide for both strong community identity and electoral equality.

Launching the consultation Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are publishing further proposals for a new pattern of wards in certain areas of Stockton-on-Tees and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.

“We want people in Stockton to help us.

“We have drawn up further proposals for new wards in the central and southern areas of the borough. We want to make sure these new electoral arrangements reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.

“Residents and local organisations can help us do that. We would like them to let us know whether they agree with our proposals before we take final decisions.

“It’s easy to get involved. Go to our website. Or you can e-mail or write to us.

“Just tell us what you think and give us some details of why you think that. It’s really simple, so do get involved.”

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