Boundary Commission extends consultation on Hucknall ward changes

The Commission has extended its period of consultation until 26th August after local people rejected its plans to completely change the electoral map of Hucknall.

Ashfield District Council voted to fully support the further consultation at a full council meeting on Thursday.

A Hucknall councillor has congratulated a campaign group for its success in keeping the name of the town in electoral ward changes.

At the meeting, Coun Lachlan Morrison, councillor for Hucknall Central, said: “I would like to put on record my thanks to one of the groups which became involved.

“The Keep Hucknall Hucknall Campaign have worked tirelessly to put their views forward, proving that even big organisations listen to people on the street giving their views.

“I congratulate them on their victory.”

Campaigners Keep Hucknall Hucknall fought plans under which the name Hucknall would have vanished and said the town would have been under represented at Ashfield District Council.

In July the LGB proposed a new plan keeping the name Hucknall, providing for recognised ward boundaries to be retained and giving Hucknall an extra councillor.

Following the electoral review, the Commission proposes new Hucknall Central, North, South and West wards.

The Commission proposes a three member Hucknall North Ward which includes the area around Papplewick Lane and the areas around Addison Drive and Coniston Road.

It also proposes including the area around Beardall Street in the Hucknall Central ward.

At the meeting councillors were told the Commission will announce its final recommendations in November and they will be implemented for the elections on 15th May 2015.

The Keep Hucknall Hucknall campaign was set up by Coun John Wilkinson, and opposed the original changes through discussions with community groups petitions, a website and a letter writing campaign.

He said: “The fight is not completely won. Keep Hucknall Hucknall will be collecting names and organisations to support the new recommendations and everyone has the chance to give their view.

”I urge all those who have worked so hard so far, to keep up the fight.”

Residents can use the Local Government Boundary Commission website or to write to Ashfield Review, Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill St, London EC1M 6LG.