POOLE residents have been invited to take part in a public consultation to ‘draw up a new pattern of council wards’ after election chiefs ruled the borough should keep its current number of councillors.

This latest consultation, being carried out by the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England, was announced as the commission said it was minded to recommend Borough of Poole maintains its 42 councillors.

Poole council leader Elaine Atkinson said: “We are pleased the boundary commission has recommended to maintain 42 councillors in Poole, which supports the vote at full council on May 23.

“The boundary commission has recognised the strong links between residents, businesses and councillors, and also the expected population growth across Poole in the next few years.”

The commission made its recommendations on maintaining 42 councillors following a six-week public consultation earlier this year.

Residents and groups across Poole are now being asked to help produce a new pattern of wards.

“We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for the borough.

“As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.”

The commission is working to draw up boundaries to deliver what it calls ‘electoral equality’. The thinking is that each councillor should represent roughly the same number of voters.

Cllr Atkinson said: “There are some natural ward boundaries in the borough, which I hope people will bear in mind, but we welcome the opinion of our residents when taking the next stage of consultation forward.”

Residents have until January 7, 2014, to submit their views.

For further information and interactive maps of Poole’s existing wards, visit consultation.lgbce.org.uk and lgbce.org.uk There will be a further chance for residents to have their say after the commission publishes its draft recommendations in April 2014.