Â鶹ÊÓƵ

The people of South Tyneside are being urged to have their say on a new pattern of ward boundaries for Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

The review, being carried out by the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC), was launched last month with the public now having only four weeks left to make their views known. The consultation closes on Monday 17 July.

The LGBC has decided that the number of councillors in the Borough should remain at 54.

However, the review is being carried out to make sure councillors represent the same number of electors, that ward arrangements help the Council to work effectively and to help the LGBC draw up proposals that better reflect community ties and identities.

Councillor Joanne Bell, Lead Member for Governance, Finance and Corporate Services at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, said: "The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear from local people to help determine their review of the Borough's ward boundaries.

"Communities are being asked for their views on where they think their ward boundaries should be, where they go in their local area to access local facilities and which areas they identify as their local community.

"We're just past the halfway point in the consultation so wanted to remind people to take the opportunity to get involved."

The LGBC is interested in people's views on which communities should be part of the same ward, taking into consideration shared facilities, from parks and leisure centres to schools and shopping precincts, or issues that neighbouring communities have in common, such as high visitor numbers or heavy traffic.

Other issues being considered include where new housing or commercial developments have changed the focus of communities, or where roads, rivers, railways or other features form as strong boundaries between neighbourhoods.

Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: "We want people in South Tyneside to help us.

"We are starting to draw up new wards for South Tyneside. We want our proposals for new electoral arrangements to reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.

"Residents and local organisations can help us understand community ties and identities. It's easy to get involved. Go to our website. Or email or write to us."

Residents can take part in the view via the Local Government Boundary Commission website at , email reviews@lgbce.org.uk or write to Review Officer (South Tyneside), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth, NE24 9FE.

There will be a further round of consultation once the commission has drawn up its proposals.

Notes to Editors:

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body accountable to Parliament. It recommends fair electoral and boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. In doing so, it aims to:

• Make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors;
• Reflect the electoral cycle so that each ward is represented by three councillors;
• Create boundaries that are appropriate, and reflect community ties and identities;
• Deliver reviews informed by local needs, views and circumstances.