Shake-up '˜leaves residents fuming'

The commission is proposing that Hull Council has 57 councillors - two less than at present - made up of 17 three-councillor wards and three two-councillor wards.

However cabinet member Coun Phil Webster said they had been “misled”: “We spent lots of time drawing up three member wards because that’s what they told us they wanted, then they came back with three two-member wards.

“What they don’t understand is the demographics of communities. All of a sudden you get people on Kings Park moved onto Bransholme (council estate). Kings Park are up in arms - their resident’s association is absolutely fuming. They’ve also drawn a line down Hessle Road and split it into two.”

Tory councillor John Fareham agreed the Commission “had failed the community test very seriously.” But he said it was the first time councillors had not agreed a joint submission and they needed to go back to the drawing board, adding: “We need to examine the motes in our own eyes.” Consultation closes on March 6. Visit consultation.lgbce.org.uk.