West Leeds residents are being asked for their help to draw up a new pattern of council wards for Leeds City Council.
The consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will re-draw ward boundaries across the city.
The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is also recommending that the cash-strapped council should have 99 city councillors in the future: the same as the current arrangements.
The Commission now needs information from people and groups across Leeds to help it to produce a new pattern of wards to accommodate 99 city councillors.
In drawing up new boundaries, the Commission aims to ensure each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. For instance Middleton Park has 19,000 electors, while Headingley has closer to 13,000, but both wards still has three councillors.
Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:
“We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for Leeds. As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account 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 Leeds, then this consultation is for you. Alternatively, if you’re simply interested in the way the city is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say.
“Your views will make a difference. 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 Leeds or just a small part of the city.
“Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in November.”
People have until 5 September 2016 to submit their views. Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing wards can be found at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk.
