DRAFT recommendations which could redraw the political map of North Yorkshire have been published after more than a year of research.

Based on proposals from the county, they are designed to provide a better electoral balance across England's largest county.

They are likely to lead to changes to most of the division boundaries, when they are enforced in the spring or summer of next year.

First, local people are being given their say with the launch of a county-wide programme of consultation which runs until July 21.

The Boundary Committee will take into account all representations it receives, then produce its final recommendations to submit to the Electoral Commission in mid-September.

Committee chairman Pamela Gordon, said: "At present, the electoral arrangements across North Yorkshire are significantly unbalanced.

"For example, the worst imbalance is in Castle division, in Scarborough, where the councillor represents 58 per cent more electors than the county average, while the councillor for Huntington North division in Ryedale represents 86 per cent fewer electors than the county average.

"The aim of our review is to ensure that, as far as possible, each person's vote should have the same value as another's, without disrupting community identities."

She said that some or all of the proposals could be changed, depending on the responses they receive during the consultation period.

"It is therefore important that members of the public let the committee have their views, whether or not they agree with the draft recommendations," said Ms Gordon.

The committee is proposing a county council of 72 members, reduced from 74, serving 68 divisions.

In the Hambleton, Craven and Ryedale districts, it is proposed to adopt locally generated schemes.

In Richmondshire, Selby and Scarborough, the suggested schemes are a combination of locally generated and Boundary Committee proposals.

Copies of the report are available from the committee's website at www.boundarycommittee.org.uk and are also available for reference at council offices and in public libraries.

Anyone wishing to make representations on the draft recommendations should do so in writing no later than July 21 to: Team Leader (North Yorkshire), The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.