As mentioned in our last Focus, ward boundary changes are planned for the council in 2018. Lib Dems back a reduction in the number of councillors as councillors shouldn’t be exempt from cuts – but we’re surprised the Boundary Commission has reversed its proposal for a reduction to 66 councillors following pressure from the Labour council. It now proposes to keep 78 councillors & 26 wards.
Due to changes in population across the city, changes are planned to boundaries to ensure more equally sized wards, and draft ward maps are now being consulted on – with North Heaton ward likely to disappear.
- A restored Heaton ward is proposed covering the areas between the Coast Road and the railway line (i.e. including the St Gabriels, Heaton terraces, & bungalows parts of NH)
- A new High Heaton & Cochrane Park ward is proposed north of the Coast Road, adding the “Dales”, Fairways, and Haydon Grange / Victoria Glade to HH Estate / Cochrane Park.
- Jesmond Park West / East, Southlands, Eastlands, Westlands and Denewell are added to a new “Dene” ward which includes the Freeman Rd area and Benton Park Rd, along with High West Jesmond and parts of South Gosforth east of the Metro line.
We agree with using the Coast Road as a boundary between Heaton and High Heaton, but are recommending that the JPW / JPE area is included in the High Heaton ward (and the “Dales” given back to Dene ward).
NB Ward map above shows existing wards rather than new proposed boundaries
We will of course continue to work hard to ensure residents on both sides of the Coast Road are represented effectively by Lib Dem FOCUS Team councillors. We will be responding to the consultation but it is open to all residents and local groups to make their own comments and suggestions: let us know your views!
NB Ward map above shows existing wards rather than new proposed boundaries
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