County could gain an extra councillor as all political boundaries set to change

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking people across the county to comment on its draft proposals for new division boundaries – which include adding a 78th county councillor to the area.

The suggested change is, according the Commission, necessary in order to make the division sizes more equal across Herts.

Currently there is a huge disparity between the Hatfield North division, which currently represents around 17,000 voters, and Bridgewater which represents just 8,600 constituents.

County councillor David Lloyd – who also acts as the county’s police and crime commissioner – represents the Bridgewater area covering the Dacorum villages of Flamstead, where he lives, as well as Great Gaddesden and Markyate.

When the draft changes were first opened to consultation earlier in the year, he urged people across Herts to make their views count.

Today, another eight-week public consultation on the recommendations begins, and is due to end on November 3.

Chair of the Commission Max Caller CBE said: “We are publishing proposals for a new pattern of electoral divisions across Hertfordshire and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.

“Over the next eight weeks, we are asking local people to tell us if they agree with the proposals or if not, how they can be improved.

“Our review aims to deliver electoral equality for local voters. This means that each county councillor represents a similar number of electors so that everyone’s vote in county council elections is worth roughly the same regardless of where you live.

“We also want to ensure that our proposals reflect the interests and identities of local communities across Hertfordshire and that the pattern of wards can help the council deliver effective local government to local people.

“We will consider all the submissions we receive whoever they are from and whether your evidence applies to the whole county or just part of it.

The Commission wants to hear as much evidence as possible in order to develop final recommendations for Hertfordshire County Council.

View all the suggestions and have your say directly by following this link: www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/eastern/hertfordshire/hertfordshire-county-councilAlternatively, you can email [email protected] or write to The Review Officer (Hertfordshire), Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5LG.