FOREST residents are being given their last chance to influence proposals for new electoral ward boundaries. The Local Government Commission are inviting their views on draft recommendations issued this month.
The last wholesale review of electoral arrangements was in 1979. Population changes since then have produced wide imbalances in the numbers of electors represented by each of the district council's 51 members.
Last year the council submitted a new scheme in response to the Commission's request. As well as seeking to equalise voter/member radios as far as possible, a main objective was to create wards represented by a maximum of three councillors.
The three Forest towns of Cinderford, Coleford and Lydney – each currently represented by five members – were divided into two wards each. These, together with adjustments made elsewhere within the district, produced a proposal council of 48 members (as it was when established in 1974) in 27 wards (down from 28).
The plan was approved on a cross-party basis, despite reservations expressed by various parish councils during the initial consultation process – and councillors themselves. The Local Government Commission has accepted the plan with two significant proposed changes and minor boundary adjustments.
"The Commission is proposing a new two member ward for Alvington, Aylburton and West Lydney and a new three member ward for Mitcheldean and Drybrook as suggested by local interested parties during consultation," the Commission announced. It also supported the council's recommendation that elections should remain on a four-yearly basis, rather than one third of seats being contested every non-county council election year.
Its recommendations are available for inspection at council offices and local libraries.
"Because we take this consultation very seriously, we may move away from our draft recommendations in the light of Stage Three responses," the report stresses.
Some early responses from parish councils are critical (see Letters page), and some local county councillors are proposing a scheme of their own (see following story). The consultation period runs till March 5.