As expected the Boundary Commission have confirmed that York will continue to have 47 Councillors.

The Commission is now asking residents and interested parties to tell them what ward boundaries should apply.

Details can be found here http://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/yorkshire-and-humberside/north-yorkshire/city-of-york-fer

Representations have to be made by 14th January 2013.

Amongst the issues likely to be considered are the introduction of :

• Single member wards: This could improve accountability as one member will be closely identified with a ward which would contain about 3500 electors (2000 homes). Currently some wards (including Dringhouses) have over 6000 homes and are represented by 3 Councillors.

• Annual Elections with 25% of the Council retiring each year: Again it is argued that this will improve accountability and that electors will be able to giving a rolling verdict on the performance of their representatives. Annual elections were used in York in the period up to 1995.