PEOPLE are invited to have their say on a new political map for the Dudley borough.

The Local Government Boundary Commission has decided the number of councillors in Dudley should be 72, the same as now, but a new pattern of wards is being developed for the borough.

The Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and organisations think and has launched a 10-week consultation which will run until March 15.

The Commission, which is the independent body that draws the boundaries, is reviewing Dudley to make sure councillors represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements help the authority to work effectively. It wants to be sure that its proposals reflect community ties and identities.

The Commission is interested in views on which communities should be part of the same ward.

Feedback will be used to help the Commission draw up proposals for new ward boundaries and there will be a further consultation once the proposals have been drawn up.

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The Commission has a dedicated section on its website where people can give their views https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/38750

People can also give their views by emailing reviews@lgbce.org.uk, and by post by sending responses to The Review Officer (Dudley), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth NE24 9FE.

Launching the consultation - Professor Colin Mellors, chair of the Commission, said: “We want people in Dudley to help us.

“We are starting to draw up new wards for Dudley. We want our proposals for new electoral arrangements to reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.

“Residents and local organisations can help us understand community ties and identities at this early stage of the process.

“It’s easy to get involved.

“Just tell us what you think and give us some details why you think that.”