THE number of councillors in Hyndburn is set to be cut by a third, as part of sweeping new changes in the borough.

The shake-up has been proposed by the Local Government Commission for England, which has published its draft recommendations for Lancashire.

The commission, which is charged with reviewing the structure of local government, electoral boundaries in local authorities and electoral arrangements, has made a series of recommendations for Hyndburn.

These would result in the biggest shake-up of ward boundaries since Hyndburn was created in 1974.

The commission's proposals would see the overall number of councillors reduced from 47 to 35 and the number of wards drop from 17 to 16. All ward boundaries will be reviewed in order to accommodate the 'lost' wards.

Under the plans, most wards will be served by two members, rather than the three at present, although it is envisaged that three councillors would remain in Overton, Rishton and St Oswald's wards.

The commission's recommendations closely reflect the submissions put forward by the council and local Conservative and Labour parties.

The commission has a remit to improve 'electoral equality' in councils so that councillors represent a roughly even share of a borough's electorate.

Currently, the number of electors per councillor in nine of the borough's 17 wards varies by more than 10 per cent - the threshold figure at which the commission makes recommendations - and by 20 per cent in four wards. The commission will now begin a consultation process on its draft proposals, which will run until April 10. Copies of the draft recommendations are available at council offices and local libraries.

Anyone wishing to make representations to the commission on its draft recommendations should do so in writing to: The Review Manager, Hyndburn Review, Local Government Commission for England, Dolphyn court, 10/11 Great Turnstile, London WC1V 7JU.

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