Plans to divide the Myland area of Colchester into two electoral wards have been given the thumbs-down by members of the parish council.

The Local Government Commission for England wants Myland Parish Council to comprise two wards - High Woods and Mile End - when at the moment the area is not warded.

In a draft document about future electoral arrangements in Colchester, the commission suggests the wards be represented by two and 11 councillors respectively.

But at a meeting of the parish council last night (Wednesday), members were urged to oppose the scheme and lobby the commission with letters.

Clerk Bob Richmond said he thought correspondence from at least 100 disgruntled residents might be enough to persuade them to reconsider.

He added: "This would totally contradict the wishes of the electors set down when this parish was created.

"It will also cost more money at election time because it will mean hiring another polling station, getting customised stationary sorted and arranging another count at the end.

"I estimate that this will cost the people of Myland an extra £800 for something they didn't want in the first place.

"As far as I can see it will have no material advantage at all. It will confuse electors and it could even create an 'us and them' situation in the council chamber."

Chairman Peter Mecklenburgh added: "They're going to be forcing on us a complete imbalance when it comes to councillors and the population of the area.

"We're being interfered with for no good reason."

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