Brighton council leader to lose ward in proposed boundary changes

Phelim Mac Cafferty could see his constituency disappear as part of plans, put forward by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

Deputy leader Hannah Clare would also be hit by the changes, which sees the ward of Brunswick and Adelaide absorbed by Regency ward.

The plans see changes to almost every ward in the city, including Regency and Brunswick and Adelaide, which have voted Green at several council elections.

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The Brighton and Hove Green Party has said it is "disappointed" by the decision, after it "argued strongly" for historic boundaries to be maintained.

A spokeswoman said: "In the initial consultation, we argued strongly for the retention of the historic Portslade and Hove boundaries.

"We are disappointed to see that the historic Hove boundary has not been retained.

"We feel strongly that the commission must visit the city to get a clearer sense of the communities that define the geographical areas of the city that simply won't have been possible in a virtual 'tour' of the city.

"We will be taking our time to assess these proposals and submitting a full response in the next stage of the consultation."

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While Brighton and Hove would keep the same number of councillors at 54, a new ward - Round Hill - will be created.

There will be reduction in the number of wards with three councillors - from 12 to ten.

Under the proposals, each councillor will represent an average of 4,267 voters.

Among the changes included in the plans is for most of Withdean ward to be merged with Hove Park.

This will mean there are three councillors representing Westdene and Hove Park.

A map of the proposed boundaries for Brighton and Hove

Controversially, this ward will stretch across the current boundary between Brighton and Hove.

The report said that this was a proposal suggested by the local Conservative Party.

"The areas share similar housing styles, demographics and have good road and pedestrian access between them," the report said.

"This arrangement also facilitates good levels of electoral equality whilst retaining distinct communities in the area."The current ward boundaries of Brighton and Hove

Residents in Hollingbury will find themselves split off from Stanmer as part of the new Fiveways ward.

While the Hanover and Elm Grove ward is renamed Hanover and Hartington.

Kemp Town will also be represented with its own ward, Kemptown and Marina.

Only three wards retain their current boundaries - North Portslade, Hangleton and Knoll, and Woodingdean.

The commission has launched a consultation into the proposals, which is due to close on April 11.

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People can give their views through their website at consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/29490, where they can also see the full details of the proposals.

Residents can also give their views by email at reviews@lgbce.org.uk and by post to: The Review Officer (Brighton and Hove), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth, NE24 9FE.

The Brighton and Hove Labour Party have been approached for comment.

While Brighton and Hove Conservative Party has declined to comment on the proposals.

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