INGLEBY Barwick is to have extra councillors, under recommendations just published by an Electoral Commission Boundary Committee.

It has re-drawn electoral wards across the whole Stockton borough to reflect population shifts, new community identities and the rapid growth of Ingleby Barwick.

The changes are said to reflect popular support and residents' comments received during earlier work. And the committee has made some minor modifications to improve local identities, it said.

It has proposed two three-councillor wards for Ingleby Barwick and an increase of councillors sitting on Stockton Council, from 55 to 56.

Additionally, it is suggesting renaming a number of borough wards, in light of local comments, and proposing 26 borough wards, rather than the current 30.

The final plans have just been submitted to the main Electoral Commission and mark the end of a review which began in July 2001.

A further period of local consultation was undertaken in autumn 2002, to consider further draft recommendations. These were produced following the receipt of revised projected electorate forecast figures for the Ingleby Barwick wards submitted by Stockton Council.

Review committee chairman Pamela Gordon said: "The aim has been to ensure that, as far as possible, one person's vote should have the same value as another's. The improvements in electoral equality we are recommending meet that objective, without disrupting community interests."

The Electoral Commission is now responsible for deciding the outcome of the committee's recommendations.

All further correspondence should be addressed to the Secretary, the Electoral Commission, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.