TEN fewer councillors will serve West Berkshire after a proposal to change ward boundaries was approved last night (March 23).

From the 2019/2020 district council elections 42 rather than 52 representatives will sit on the council.

The stated aim of the plan is to redraw ward boundaries so each councillor represents approximately the same number of voters, and the pattern of wards reflects the interests and identities of communities and promotes effective local government.

Now the independent Boundary Commission for England will consider where the boundaries of the new constituencies should fall. 

Graham Jones, acting leader of West Berkshire Council, said: “The proposals are a good compromise and we have not made changes for changes sake.

“This is something that we must do and we have worked hard to retain community identities wherever possible.”

The Boundary Commission recommendations will be laid before Parliament later this year.

What do you think? Is this a necessary decision in the interest of democracy, or is it a money saving excercise? Tell us in the comments below.