IT’S TIME to speak out about where you think Wilmslow’s communities lie and help fence off electoral areas for Cheshire East councillors.

The Boundary Committee for England is asking residents for feedback on the patches that best fit together so electoral commissioners can decide on suitable boundaries - and all parts of town are properly represented.

Maybe your area has different needs to your neighbours’ or an existing boundary leaves a patch forgotten - this is the opportunity to get involved in the consultation.

This is the second stage of the consultation and feedback from stage one on council size for Cheshire East, which currenty stands at 81 councillors each with 3,523 voters, is being considered.

The councillor to elector ratio will be announced next month and then the Boundary Committee has the job of assigning areas to councillors.

This is where community feedback is vital.

Boundary Committee spokesman Gareth Nicholson said: "We’re working on electoral arrangements for Cheshire East and have had consultation on how many councillors should sit but want to hear from residents about which areas councillors should represent.

"Everyone has the chance to tell us what they consider their local area, what community ties there are, whether issues mean that places which seem close are actually far apart in terms of transport, economic or social links.

"This is important in deciding relevant divisions, people in Wilmslow have a big role to play in what their new council looks like."

Local wards currently include Wilmslow North, Wilmslow South and Alderley and the review is happening to make sure councillors represent the same number of voters and that wards pay attention to community identity.

Cheshire East has set up a group, which will next meet on May 7, to respond to the review.

Group member and Wilmslow South councillor Gary Barton, said: "Wilmslow is fairly consistent but the Alderley ward takes in some parts of Wilmslow around Knutsford Road and that’s an example of something which could be looked at, some might argue it’s not sensible."

Former Handforth Ratepayer councillor Barry Burkhill, who represented MBC’s Handforth ward, now part of Wilmslow North ward with Dean Row, has lots to say about the review and was featured in the Express last month blasting the idea that Handforth stays merged with Wilmslow wards.

He said: "The Cheshire East election happened on county divisions but it’s important this changes and Handforth stays separate.

"Dean Row is very different, we have no connection with its ward and people are concerned.

"I hope the Boundary Committee keeps smaller wards with better representation and local choice, Handforth is its own community."

Barry is adament the council should stick to Government guidance in its "People and Places" document that advises Cheshire East adopts single member wards.

Identity

He added: "With 6,500 voters, Handforth could split into East and West wards and keep its identity."

Stage three of the consultation will start in autumn and the Boundary Committee will publish a map of the area and name of the proposed divisions - this is when people might have something to say about the plans.

Mr Nicholson added: "This is likely to be the stage people really get involved and tell us what the changes mean for them."

The Boundary Committee expects to submit its final recommendations to the Electoral Commission in spring 2010.

To have your say, write to The Review Officer (Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester), The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, 30 Great Peter Street, London, SW1P 2HW or email reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk.

Local libraries have more information on the review or visit www.boundarycommittee.org.uk .