ELECTORAL wards in Blackburn are to be reshaped because some are more than twice the size of others.

A commission appointed to look into electoral boundaries hopes to have the problems ironed out by the time Blackburn becomes a unitary authority in spring, 1998, taking over power from county hall.

Draft suggestions have been announced following a five-month review of voting arrangements. They include plans to create a new electoral ward called Hoddlesden, and some wards will be renamed.

Boundaries of all but one of the existing wards will be slightly altered.

The number of councillors will be increased from 60 to 62.

The wards listed for big changes include Audley, Bastwell, Beardwood with Lammack, Corporation Park, Ewood, Green Lane, Higher Croft, Little Harwood and Livesey with Pleasington. There are also alterations to Marsh House, Mill Hill, North Turton with Tockholes, Queen's Park, Roe Lee, Shadsworth, Shear Brow, Sudell, Sunnyhurst, Wensley Fold and Whitehall.

Professor Malcolm Grant, chairman of the commission, said: "At present, electoral arrangements are unbalanced.

"For example, the councillor for North Turton ward represents two and half times as many electors on average as the three councillors for Higher Croft.

"Our proposals reduce these inequalities significantly."

"Residents of Blackburn and all interested parties now have eight weeks in which to make their views known in writing.

"The commission wants to make sure that the new unitary authority will start off on a proper and fair electoral basis."

An eight-week consultation period will end on Tuesday, October 29.

Reference copies of the draft report can be obtained at Blackburn council offices and public libraries.

Anyone wanting to comment on the proposed changes can write to The Blackburn Review, Local Government Commission for England, Dolphyn Court, 10-11 Great Turnstile, London WC1V 7JU.

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