SOMERSET Council could lose more than ten per cent of its current elected members as part of an upcoming boundary review.

The council was created with 110 elected members, two for each of the 55 divisions on boundaries inherited from Somerset County Council (with Glastonbury and Street being split into separate divisions).

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) intends to carry out a review into the council’s division boundaries ahead of the next local elections in Somerset, which are due to be held in May 2027.

The council has now put forward its initial proposals, which will see the number of councillors cut from 110 to 96 – a drop of around 13 per cent.

These initial proposals were discussed by the council’s constitution and governance committee when it met in Taunton on September 9.

Somerset’s current electorate (i.e. those who are registered to vote) currently stands at 444,093 – which works at each councillor representing an average of 4,037 people.

By 2029, the electorate is expected to increase to 467,403 in light of housing and employment growth – meaning each councillor would represent an average of 4,626 people if the boundaries remained unchanged.

Under the council’s own proposals, reducing the number of councillors from 110 to 96 would leave each councillor representing, on average, 4,868 people.

This ratio of electors to councillors would be comparable to the current levels in Cornwall, and lower than the recently created North Yorkshire unitary authority – but it would be higher than both Wiltshire and in Buckinghamshire once the latter’s recently agreed boundary changes take effect in May 2025.

In a statement published before the committee met, council leader Bill Revans said: “We feel that in our infancy as a council, this number [96 councillors] will allow us to effectively represent communities, deliver council business and provide efficient governance.”

Mr Revans and his wider executive felt that reducing the number of councillors below 96 would save money but “increase the workload beyond a reasonable amount” and could put off young people, carers and those in full-time employment from standing for election.

The executive has also requested that the ‘divisions’ be renamed to ‘wards’, claiming this is a more commonly used term and easier for constituents to understand.

Councillor Sue Osborne (who represents the Ilminster division) said: “What we’re trying to do is to get as many people from all walks of life – particularly women, who are significantly under-represented in local government – to come forward.

“We want as wide a range of people as possible. Young or old, all have something to offer.

“Anyone who wants to come forward to become a councillor in this day and age should be encouraged and welcomed.”

The boundary review will take account of numerous factors, including population size within each of the current divisions, projected housing growth, town and parish boundaries and shared geographical figures (e.g. a division not straddling two sides of the M5, unless deemed appropriate).

Councillor Hugh Davies (Watchet and Stogursey) sounded a note of caution over the proposals, arguing it would put pressure on the council’s remaining staff as well as elected members.

He said: “In Watchet and Williton, we’re going to have 2,000 more people in next to no time. It’s extra work, and we’re reducing the numbers.

“My other worry is about the wonderful staff of this county. The more we’re going to have on our plate, the more we’ll be trying to pass it on for help – and it’s not their fault they’re under pressure.

“It’s alright to be saving money, but we’re going to have people saying: ‘I don’t want to be a councillor anymore’ because of the aggravation they’ll get and the lack of support.”

The committee’s recommendations will come before the full council for final approval on September 26 before being sent to the LGBCE.

The commission is expected to hold two rounds of public consultation on the proposals for Somerset before the summer of 2025.

The new boundaries will be formally ratified in parliament by the autumn of 2026, allowing them to come into effect in time for the May 2027 local elections.