THERE will be a few differences for voters going to the polls in local elections in the Taunton and Minehead areas next year.

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking people in the two areas to comment on plans for council ward boundaries across Somerset’s newest local authority.

The government confirmed in May that West Somerset District Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council can merge to create a new local authority.

The commission’s consultation now proposes ward boundaries to be used to elect councillors in the new Somerset West and Taunton Council.

The consultation runs until August 27 and is open to anyone who is interested how they will be represented by the new council.

The commission is proposing that the council should have a total of 59 councillors - there would be 17 one-councillor wards, 12 two-councillor wards and six three-councillor wards.

The new wards and boundaries will come into effect at the first election for the authority in May next year.

Professor Colin Mellors, chair of the Local Government Boundary for England, said: "We are publishing proposals for ward boundaries for the new Somerset West and Taunton Council and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.

"Over the next eight weeks, we are asking people and organisations to tell us if they agree with the wards we have drawn or if not, how they can be improved. "We will consider all the submissions we receive, whoever they are from and whether your evidence applies to the whole of the new council area or just your part of it."

Anyone wishing to make a submission should contact the commission by Monday, August 27:

  • by post at The Review Officer (Somerset West and Taunton), Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 1st floor Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0TL;
  • by e-mail at reviews@lgbce.org.uk;
  • or online at consultation.lgbce.org.uk.

Hard copies of the commission’s report and maps will also be available to view at council buildings.

KEY TO THE MAP.

1. Alcombe.

2. Bishop's Hull and Comeytrowe.

3. Blackbrook & Holway.

4. Brendons and Wiveliscombe.

5. Cotford St Luke and Oake.

6. Creech and Durston.

7. Creechbarrow.

8. Dulverton and District.

9. Exmoor.

10. Hatch and Blackdown.

11. Milverton and District.

12. Minehead Central.

13. Minehead North.

14. Minehead South.

15. Monument.

16. North Curry and District.

17. North Town.

18. Norton Fitzwarren and Staplegrove.

19. Old Cleeve and District.

20. Porlock and District.

21. Priorswood.

22. Quantock Vale.

23. Rockwell Green.

24. South Quantock.

25. Tangier.

26. Trull and Pitminster.

27. Victoria.

28. Vivary East.

29. Vivary West.

30. Watchet and Williton.

31. Wellington East.

32. Wellington North.

33. Wellington South.

34. Wellsprings and Rowbarton.

35. West Monkton and Cheddon Fitzpaine.