WARRINGTON South MP David Mowat is calling for a review of the Boundary Commission’s controversial recommendations for local government boundary changes in his constituency.
He has written to ministers to make them aware of the “perverse consequences” which will occur if the recommendations are adopted.
Earlier this week Lymm councillor Ian Marks, who is also chairman of Warrington Lymm Democrats, wrote to Mr Mowat asking him to object to what he described as the “plain stupid” recommendations.
MP David Mowat
The MP responded: “I have already written and spoken to ministers to make them aware of some of the perverse consequences which will occur if the Commission’s proposals are adopted in full before the May election.
“This week I will also be activating the Parliamentary procedure to have the Commission’s proposal reviewed.
“The Government does not have the power to alter local government boundaries but I will be doing all that I can to highlight the problems which this review has created.”
Under the proposals, there would be major changes to ward boundaries across South Warrington.
Lymm would be split in two – and “take over” most of Thelwall and a small part of Grappenhall.
Appleton Thorn would be “moved” out of Appleton and added to Grappenhall, there would be changes to the boundary between Stockton Heath and Appleton and the villages of Walton, Stretton and Hatton would disappear from the electoral map.
Cllr Marks has also written to the Boundaries Commission accusing them of ignoring public opinion in Warrington and asking for an explanation how how their proposals would make local government more effective or convenient.”
Although the Commission’s recommendations have to be confirmed by Parliament, this is normally little more than a formality.
