NEW council ward boundaries have been drafted for Teignbridge – and residents now have eight weeks to comment on them.

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission draft proposals include an extra councillor for Teignbridge, making a new total of 47; and an outline of how the councillors should represent seven single-member wards, 14 two-member wards and four three-member wards across the district.

The eight-week public consultation began on Tuesday and will end on October 31.

The consultation is open to all residents who want to have their say on new council wards, ward boundaries and ward names across Teignbridge, including whether the proposed wards reflect local communities.

Professor Colin Mellors, chairman of the boundary commission, said: ‘We’re keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.

‘Over the next eight weeks, we’re 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 each councillor represents a similar number of people so everyone’s vote in council elections is worth roughly the same regardless of where you live.

‘We also want to ensure our proposals reflect the interests and identities of local communities across Teignbridge 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 district or just part of it.’

After the eight-week public consultation the commission will consider all submissions and publish its final recommendations next January. These final recommendations will then be discussed in Parliament and if all is satisfied the new wards will come into effect at the Teignbridge Council elections in May 2019.

The Teignbridge electoral review can be seen online at www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/south-west/devon/teignbridge.

Hard copies of the report and maps are also available at Forde House and libraries.