Chelmsford looks set to have 57 borough councillors in 24 wards, as opposed to 56 in 27 wards, if final proposals by the Local Government Commission are agreed by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

In the last stage of a review of electoral arrangements for Essex, the Commission is sticking by earlier suggestions for the borough, largely in line with Chelmsford council's recommendations.

Under the proposed changes, eight wards would retain their present boundaries. They are Galleywood; Little Baddow, Danbury and Sandon; Moulsham Lodge; Rettendon and Runwell; St Andrews; the two South Woodham Ferrers wards; and Writtle.

The remaining 16 wards would be comprised of 19 of the existing, with some name changes. Among new ward names would be Chelmer Village and Beaulieu Park, Chelmsford Rural West, Marconi, Moulsham and Central, and Trinity.

It is also recommended that the present system of elections for the full council every four years should continue.

The Commission says its aim was to even out the number of electors represented by each councillor.

In only one of the proposed 24 wards would the number of electors per councillor vary by more than 10 per cent from the borough average, it says.

The Commission also makes recommendations for changes to parish and town council electoral arrangements.

It suggests revised warding arrangement and redistribution of councillors for the parishes of Great Baddow and Springfield.

While Springfield would continue to be represented by 15 councillors, Great Baddow would gain one, increasing its size to 13, as would South Hanningfield, which would increase to 12. In line with a proposal from South Woodham Ferrers Town Council, it is suggested that its size be decreased by six to 20 members.

Chairman of the Local Government Commission, Professor Malcolm Grant, said: "The aim of our review has been to ensure that, as far as possible, one person's vote should have the same value as another's.

The improvements in electoral quality we are recommending meet that objective without disrupting community interests."

Any further representations on the recommendations should be addressed to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Local Government Sponsorship Division, Eland House, Bressendon Place, London SW1E 5DU before January 8, 2001.

By Kathleen Corby

Reporter's e-mail: kathleen.corby@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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