TEN Forest councillors could lose their seats at the next election before a vote is cast, if proposals to change the district council go ahead.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is proposing the number of councillors is reduced from the current 48 to 38 at the next election in 2019.

The proposed new arrangements must be implemented by an order from Parliament with the proposals going before MPs in the coming months.

In response to feedback during the consultation three of the ward names originally proposed by the commission have been changed.

The proposed Awre ward would be renamed Newnham, while Mitcheldean and Drybrook becomes Mitcheldean, Ruardean and Drybook and Newent becomes Newent and Taynton.

Under the new structure there would be five wards with three councillors, seven with two councillors and nine single member wards.

Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the commission, said, “We are extremely grateful to people across the Forest of Dean who took part in the review.

“The commission has looked at all the evidence that was put forward during the consultation.

“We believe these recommendations deliver electoral fairness for voters as well as reflecting community ties throughout the Forest of Dean.”