PEOPLE across the Forest can have their say on proposals which could see the number of district councillors slashed.

There are currently 48 members of the Forest of Dean Council but under plans being consulted on by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, the number would be reduced to 38.

A 10-week public consultation on the recommendations started this week and will be open for comments until Monday, November 6.

The consultation is open to anyone who wants to have their say on new council wards, ward boundaries and ward names.

The new district maps would be made up of five wards with three councillors, seven with two councillors and nine with one councillor.

The full recommendations and detailed interactive maps are available on the Commission’s website at consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk.

Hard copies of the Commission’s report and maps will also be available to view at council buildings.

Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are publishing proposals for a new pattern of wards across Forest of Dean and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.

“Over the next 10 weeks, we are asking local people to tell us if they agree with the proposals or if not, how they can be improved. 

“Our review aims to deliver electoral equality for local voters. This means that each councillor represents a similar number of people so that everyone’s vote in council elections is worth roughly the same regardless of where you live.

“We also want to ensure that our proposals reflect the interests and identities of local communities across Forest of Dean and that the pattern of wards can help the council deliver effective local government to local people.

“We will consider all the submissions we receive whoever they are from and whether your evidence applies to the whole district or just part of it.”

If Parliament agrees to the changes, the new boundaries would  come into effect for the elections in May 2019.

Comments can be posted to: The Review Officer (Forest of Dean), Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Millbank Tower, London SW1P 4QP or by e-mail to [email protected].

The dedicated web page for the Forest of Dean electoral review is www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/south-west/gloucestershire/forest-of-dean.