A MAJOR shake up of wards for Richmondshire District Council has been backed by the Boundary Commission reducing the number of councillors by nearly a third.

After challenges on some details the commission agreed to allow several villages to stay in existing wards following concerns raised during a three month consultation. Their recommendations will now go to Parliament for legal agreement and will come into force in the council elections in May in 2019.

The commission’s final recommendations propose Richmondshire is represented by 24 district councillors, ten fewer than they have currently. That will be made up of one three-councillor ward, six two-councillor wards and nine one-councillor wards across the district.

Professor Colin Mellors, chair of the commission, said: “We are extremely grateful to people across Richmondshire who took part in the review. The commission has looked at all the evidence that was put forward during the consultation.

“We believe these recommendations deliver electoral fairness for voters as well as reflecting community ties throughout Richmondshire.”

Prof Mellors said after local concerns the commission has made changes, previously the parish of Patrick Brompton was due to be part of a Scotton ward.

“However, during consultation, local people described the strong community links between Patrick Brompton and the Lower Wensleydale ward. The commission listened to those views and has changed its recommendations so it will become part of the Lower Wensleydale ward,” he added.

Elsewhere in the district the commission changed recommendations including the parish of Uckerby which will be part of the Catterick and Brompton-on-Swale ward, the parish of Newton-le-Willows is included in the Lower Wensleydale ward and Hunton parish joins the Scotton ward.

Cllr Yvonne Peacock, leader of Richmondshire District Council, said: “We are pleased that the commission has confirmed that a reduction in numbers will still provide the right representation for the district’s residents. We recommended a drop to 24 councillors and that is the number being put forward for government approval. It is also pleasing to see that the commission has listened to the views of local parishes and individuals which has led to amendments to boundaries of the proposed 16 new wards.”

Details are at www.lgbce.org.uk.