PUBLIC consultation on proposed changes to electoral ward boundaries in Oxfordshire has ended.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England will analyse the 4,000 responses it has received before preparing a report for the Secretary of State by October 1.

The changes would reduce the number of county councillors from 74 to 63 from later this year.

If approved, Henley and the surrounding villages would be represented by one councillor instead of the two at present.

The commission is also proposing to reduce the number of members of South Oxfordshire District Council from 48 to 36 by 2015.


In Sonning Common, it is proposed to continue with a two-member ward but it would lose Kidmore End and take in the parishes of Eye and Dunsden, Binfield Heath, Shiplake and Harpsden.

Kidmore End would be part of two single-member wards covering the village as well as Whitchurch and Goring.

The commission recommends a two-member Benson ward incorporating the village and Warborough but not Nuffield. There would be a single-member ward for Watlington incorporating the parish of Swyncombe.

Published 21/01/13