REGARDING Andrew Foulds' remarks (Letters, June 16) about the recent meeting of residents of the Infirmary area in Blackburn and comments that it should be one ward for voting purposes.

As a local councillor for part of that area, I understand and sympathise with the views expressed. However, if only life, were that simple, and that there was an easy answer to this.

Ewood Ward, which I represent, is made up of a number of split communities, as are many areas of the town.

Whenever there is 're-warding' by the Boundaries Commission they always try to look at addressing some of these issues.

However, for every solution found it often creates another problem, because wards, have to reflect as far as possible, an equivalent number of voters and this often means drawing boundaries that don't always reflect natural communities.

The plans for the latest proposals were widely published and everybody had the opportunity to make representations, as did, for example, the local community association based in Ewood.

They made an excellent representation to the Boundaries Commission, so much so that they took all their proposals fully on board. So it shows people's representations can count.

However ward boundaries aside, as elected representatives, we are expected to look beyond these boundaries and to look at the neighbourhood, area and borough issues.

That is one of the reasons why the council recently appointed "neighbourhood co-ordinators" to work with local people, elected members and all different agencies that work in an area so that together we can make an impact and collectively tackle issues.

Locally, along with my Ewood colleagues, we work together with local communities in a number of different ways, local community associations, the local Sure Start, Community Regeneration Zone and Community Safety boards, and the Ewood Working Group.

If people don't feel their views are being heard, we would welcome and look forward to their input in working with us to improve the lives of local people, the services provided and their local neighbourhood.

COUN MAUREEN BATESON (Ewood Ward), Kings Road, Blackburn.