A NEW pattern of wards for East Hampshire Council is being drawn up by the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

A public consultation has been launched as the first part of an electoral review which will redraw ward boundaries across the council area.

The commission has announced that it is minded to recommend the council should have 44 councillors in the future, which is the same number as now, but it needs local input on where best to accommodate them so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters.

The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across East Hampshire.

Professor Colin Mellors, chairman of the commission, said: “We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for East Hampshire. 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 East Hampshire, then this consultation is for you. Alternatively, if you’re simply interested in the way the council is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say.

“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 East Hampshire or just a small part of the council area.

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

• The deadline for responses is August 14. For more information go to www.lgbce.org.uk