Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

WWDC is being re-organised again!
Draft recommendations will be published in February 2006, with final recommendations surfacing in May.

There is a definite problem in the Westbury area but, rather than concentrate on this, WWDC has come up with a series of proposals for consideration by councillors before submission to the Boundary Committee.

For this area these are:

1) A total of 44 councillors as at present.

A new Ward would be created comprising – Broughton Gifford, Holt, Staverton, Hilperton, Monkton Farleigh, South Wraxall. This would have 3 councillors representing a projected 7,600 residents.

Semington would be transferred to Summerham Ward to join Great Hinton, Keevil, Bulkington, Steeple Ashton. This would have 1 councillor for 2,382 residents.

2) An increase to 46 councillors.

This would see Summerham Ward growing still further to include Semington, Great Hinton, Keevil, Bulkington, Steeple Ashton, Holt, Staverton, and Hilperton. This would have 4 councillors for 8,547 residents.

3) An increase to 48 councillors.

Under this scheme Summerham Ward would comprise Semington, Great Hinton, Keevil, Bulkington, Holt, Staverton, and Hilperton. Again, it would return 4 councillors but for 7,745 residents.

If you have any thoughts on these suggestions, please let me know. From my point of view, these suggestions seem be getting away from the idea of 'local representation' due to both the physical area covered and the size of the populations. Surely these factors would make your elected representative more remote from most of the Ward?