PROPOSED boundary changes are being drawn up that could potentially increase the number of councillors serving a North-East town.

A consultation period has been opened as the first part of an electoral review to re-draw award boundaries across the borough of Hartlepool.

Residents are being asked by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to have their say on where the borders should be.

The Commission has also announced that Hartlepool Borough Council should have 36 councillors in future, which is three more than the local authority currently operates with.

In drawing up new boundaries, the Commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters.

Professor Colin Mellors, chair of the Commission, said: “We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for Hartlepool.

“As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral fairness 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 Hartlepool, then this consultation is for you."

Residents in the town have until August 6, 2018, to submit their views.

The Commission says it will then publish its draft recommendations in October 2018 and open a further phase of consultation with residents.

“If you’re interested in the way the borough is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say. Your views will make a difference.

“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 Hartlepool or just a small part of the borough.

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

The new Hartlepool Borough Council wards are projected to come into effect at the 2020 council elections.

Comments can be submitted or uploaded on to the Commission's website, with users also able to draw their own boundaries and annotate a map.

For more information on the plans, visit the Commission’s website at consultation.lgbce.org.uk

Alternatively, members of the public can have their say by writing to The Review Officer (Hartlepool), LGBCE, 14th floor, Millbank Tower, London, SW1P 4QP.