THE Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE), approached Mid Devon District Council in 2019 with the intention of conducting a review of the electoral warding arrangements in Mid Devon.

As the number of inhabitants within ward areas increases over time, local authorities in England are required to undergo an electoral review to ensure fair representation is maintained between councillors and their electorates.

Adjustments to Mid Devon’s existing ward boundaries were recommended by the LGBCE as part of the Draft Recommendations phase and previously scheduled for public consultation between February 4 and April 13, 2020.

However, due to the impact of COVID-19, the Commission has now reopened and extended the consultation for the Draft Recommendations phase following accessibility improvements to guarantee effective levels of consultation.

Submissions will be accepted until July 19, to reflect the time the consultation had been open while "lockdown" was in place.

The draft recommendations propose that:

• Mid Devon should be represented by 42 councillors, the same number as present

• Mid Devon should have 21 wards, three fewer than there are now

• The boundaries of all wards should change.

The public can continue to view the proposed changes via an interactive map which shows existing and proposed boundaries, as well as leave comments and suggest alternative boundaries on the Commission’s consultation portal at: https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/have-your-say/18162 .

Alternatively, comments can be emailed to [email protected] or posted to: LGBCE, c/o Innovation House, Coniston Court, Riverside Business Park, Blyth NE24 4RP.

The final recommendations are due to be published on September 29, 2020.

Information about how the Commission is proceeding with the review will be made available on its webpage at: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/south-west/devon/mid-devon .

More information can be viewed on Mid Devon District Council’s press release dated February 5, 2020: Electoral Review: Have Your Say: https://www.middevon.gov.uk/electoral-review-have-your-say/ .