TIME is running out for people in the Wellington area to help draw up council ward boundaries for one of England’s newest local authorities.

A public consultation on boundary proposals for Somerset West and Taunton Council will close on August 27.

Formed by the merger of Taunton Deane and West Somerset councils, a new Somerset West and Taunton Council is set to come into existence next year.

To prepare for the establishment of the new council, the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England has drawn up proposals for new ward boundaries to be represented by councillors in the new authority.

The commission proposes that Somerset West and Taunton Council should have 59 councillors. The commission has also drawn up 17 one-councillor wards, 12 two-councillor wards and six three-councillor wards.

The boundaries will come into effect at the first council elections in May 2019.

Local people now have the chance to tell the commission if they agree with the boundary proposals or if they can be improved to reflect local communities.

Commission chairman Professor Colin Mellors said: “This is the last chance for local people to have their say on ward boundaries for the new council.

“We want to hear evidence from the people who know their area best about the shape of local communities. Once we have looked at all the evidence that comes in during consultation, we will finalise our recommendations in October.”

Local people can have their say directly by visiting the commission’s website at www.lgbce.org.uk

Interactive maps of the recommendations are also available at https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/13249

Or send responses by post to The Review Officer (Somerset West and Taunton), Local Government Boundary Commission for England 1st floor, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0TL or email [email protected]