Give your views on council boundaries shake-up

Last October, the authority finally decided 63 members was too many and agreed a reduction - but only by four.

Now the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has said it will accept the cut and is looking to draw up new wards.

Chairman Prof Colin Mellors said: “We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for Rotherham.

“As we develop the recommendations, we will take account of local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.

“If you have a view about which communities or neighbourhoods should be part of the same council ward, then we want to hear from you. 

“And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part of Rotherham, then this consultation is for you.”

The LGBCE was asked to review Rotherham’s ward boundaries as part of Government intervention following the child sex scandal.

Public consultation will run until May 8 and the aim is to ensure the new wards have roughly equal populations and reflect community identities.

The new arrangements will come into effect for the 2020 local elections.

“Your views will make a difference,” said Prof Mellors. “We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole of Rotherham or just a small part of the borough. 

“Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in July.”

Visit www.lgbce.org.uk to have your say or write to: The Review Officer (Rotherham), LGBCE, 14th floor, Millbank Tower, London SW1P 4QP.