Changes to Rother boundaries a step closer

Proposals would see the creation of three wards in Battle. Pictured is Battle High Street

Councillors on Rother District Council’s (RDC) overview and scrutiny committee recommended a proposal, which would see the creation of three wards in Battle, be put forward.

This will be discussed at a later date by the cabinet and eventually submitted to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE).

The proposal recommended at last night’s meeting would see three wards for Battle created, namely Battle South, Battle Central and Battle North.

For rural areas, it involves increasing the number of wards from 11 to 14 wards – six two-member and eight single-member.

For Bexhill, the proposal involves keeping the existing nine two-member wards with minor adjustments.

Bexhill Central ward would lose 187 electors and Bexhill’s Collington ward would get an extra 185 voters.

Under the proposals for Bexhill the town’s Sackville ward would also get extra voters within its boundaries, totalling 187.

Bexhill St Marks ward would see 185 less voters and Bexhill Sidley, a decrease of 313. The St Stephens ward would get an extra 313.

The council’s steering group also suggests changing the name of the Old Town ward to Old Town and Worsham to include new homes in north east Bexhill.

Rother District Council is taking part in a county-wide electoral review run by the LGBCE.

A lengthy consultation period will be held and proposed ward changes would come into effect in 2019.

Draft recommendations for new boundary changes for East Sussex will be published next March. Public consultation is set to take place between March and June.

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