Local election boundary consultation under way

Wards in the Westmorland and Furness Council area could be reshaped

A public consultation about local election boundary changes is under way.

People have been invited to help shape new council wards for Westmorland and Furness Council in a review launched by the Local Government Boundary Commission.

An earlier consultation with the local authority concluded the area needed 65 councillors to be able to operate effectively, the same number as it has now.

The public's views are being sought so the "new wards reflect the size and shape of local communities".

The public consultation opened on Tuesday and will last for 10 weeks.

Inviting people to take part, commission chair Prof Colin Mellors said: "It might be something as straightforward as where you go for shops, schools or a sporting venue, whether you see a road, park or river as a dividing feature or the heart of a community, or which areas have joint projects."

There will be a further round of consultation once the commission has drawn up its proposals. 

The second stage of the public consultation is expected to start on 4 March 2025, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England said.

The consultation relates to the arrangements for local government elections, and is separate from consultations that have recently taken place across England on arrangements for parliamentary elections.