Wokingham redraws county boundaries ahead of elections

The political map of Wokingham has been redrawn ahead of council elections in May.

Each year, a third of the representatives on Wokingham Borough Council are voted for in an annual election cycle.

This year the whole council will be up for election with 54 seats available.

It follows the electoral map of the borough being redrawn by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

There will now be 18 wards, represented by three members each.

Councillor Andy Croy said: "It was obvious the changes had to happen to rebalance representation to reflect where people are in the borough."

The number of councillors representing Wokingham will increase from 11 to 12.

The biggest ward change is in the north, where a new Thames ward will cover Sonning, Wargrave, Charvil and Ruscombe.

Reading Borough also has a Thames ward which straddles the river.

The map has been significantly redrawn in Earley and Woodley, with the creation of the Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates and Bulmershe & Coronation wards.

Mr Croy said: "There have been massive population increases in Wokingham and Shinfield, which means some councillors have a much higher workload as they represent more residents.

"Now all wards will have three members, which is much better for democracy."

The existing boundaries will remain until the council is recessed for the election on 2 May.

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