RESIDENTS are being asked for their thoughts on proposed changes to simplify the electoral arrangements for Corbridge Parish Council.

The parish of Corbridge is currently divided into two wards; the Corbridge ward with an electorate of 2,638 and the Dilston Ward with a 384 electorate.

The parish has a total of 11 parish councillors with nine representing the Corbridge ward, and two representing Dilston.

A spokeswoman for Northumberland County Council said: “The parish council is concerned that, at a parish council election, residents living in the Dilston were unable to vote as the vacancy applied only to the Corbridge ward.

“Ideally, parish councillors representing the Dilston ward would also be resident in that ward, however, this is rarely the case. It has been very difficult to find anyone resident in that ward to stand for election.”

If the wards were removed then all 11 parish councillors would represent the whole of Corbridge parish.

Northumberland County Council has the powers to conduct community governance reviews which can involve creating new, or amalgamating parishes and amending electoral arrangements.

A review is currently being carried out at the request of the parish council.

Local electors and stakeholders are being asked to respond to the proposals and, if agreed, the removal of the two wards will come into force with effect from the next local elections of the parish council in May 2021.

Views should be submitted by October 9 via email to Lesley. Bennett@northumberland.gov.uk or in writing to Democratic Services at County Hall in Morpeth.