CHESHIRE East Council is opposing plans to nearly double the number of electoral wards. The council says the Local Government Boundary Commission has failed to listen to the concerns of local residents and councillors – and that the proposed changes would be too complex and costly. The LGBC has proposed increasing the number of Cheshire East wards from 27 to 52 and boosting the number of councillors from 81 to 82. There would be six three-member wards, 18 two-member wards and 28 single-member wards. The LGBC says it will make ward representation fairer and reflect expected shifts in population. But Cheshire East councillors voted by 48-18 to reject the LGBC recommendations. Leader Wesley Fitzgerald said: “The Commission has failed to listen to our concerns. We accept the increase in the number of councillors to 82 but we need to ensure that council wards reflect local community identities and the links between communities. “We need wards that would help provide convenient and effective local government.” The council feels the Boundary Commission’s final recommendations are ‘unreasonable’ as they fail to take into account or give due weight to submissions from the community and council. It also says they would be too complex and too costly at a time of budget cuts. There is also concern the timetable is too drawn out – with a final ruling possibly in December, leaving little time for implementation. It also says the changes to wards would make the election administration too complex. The publication of the commission’s final recommendations follows its draft recommendations last November and consultations with local representatives and communities. Parliament is due to rule on the recommendations in the autumn. If accepted, the electoral changes would come into force for the next council elections in May 2011. LGBC chair Max Caller said: “We’re grateful to people across East Cheshire who took the time and effort to send us their views.” | 
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