North Bersted electoral boundaries could shift

The Boundary Commission for England wants to switch 1,100 residents who have lived in North Bersted for decades into the neighbouring area for county council elections.

The proposals affect the area of Bersted east of Woodlands Road, including the Trees estate.

The change alarmed Trees estate resident Gez Watson when it was raised at this month's Bersted Parish Council meeting.

She said: "I've been a Bersted resident for over 50 years. I don't want to live in Bognor. I'm a Bersted person."

Cllr Patrick Hastings stated that electorates should be based on communities.

"That area has been part of North Bersted for 75 years. Why should that be changed? Why should we put up with people outside the parish telling us what to do?" he asked.

The objections were echoed at last week'sfull meeting of Arun District Council.

Cllr Simon McDougall, the current county councillor for Bersted, said he had serious concerns that so many electors in his county division would be hived off into Bognor.

This would split a long-established community. He said he recognised the number of voters in the Bersted and Bognor divisions '“ both held by the Liberal Democrats '“ were out of kilter.

"I know the discrepancy has to be ironed out," he said. "That should be done by recognising local communities, which should remain intact where possible and not splintered.

"But the Boundary Commission seems to be a law unto itself when it comes to these things. Unfortunately, it will be us who have to pick up what will become a nightmare when the change comes into force in 2011."

He stated the commission's details were riddled with errors, one of which had miscounted the number of Bersted parish councillors.

Arun chief executive Ian Sumnall said a detailed report about the proposed change would be discussed at the district council's governance committee on August 8.

The proposed changes would also have a knock-on effect on parish and town council boundaries.

As part of the proposals, Bersted Parish Council's 14 members are likely to be split into two wards '“ east and west '“ to reflect the growing population. One will have 11 councillors, the other just two.

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