NEW plans have been unveiled which could see the local government map of Wrexham redrawn.

A review is being carried out by the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, which would potentially boost the number of representatives on Wrexham Council from 52 up to 55.

Officials said the possible changes were aimed at ensuring ‘convenient and effective’ local government, with a more balanced number of councillors to residents in each area.

However, one Plaid Cymru politician has described the suggestion as being inappropriate in the current financial climate.

Gwenfair Jones, who represents almost 2,300 people in the Gwersyllt West ward, said: “The commission want us to increase the number of councillors by three and in times of austerity that’s not good.

“My ward is over the ratio they’re proposing but I’m quite happy with it because a lot of residents live in a residential home.

“They’ve got a vote and that’s good, but because they’re in one particular area so it doesn’t cause that much work.

“Some wards might need looking at in terms of where their boundaries are though – Brymbo for example is a massive ward because of all the new houses up there.”

The proposed proportion of councillors the commission is looking to achieve is one for around every 1,800 voters in Wrexham, which could result in a number of boundary alterations.

The current average in the county is one for approximately every 1,900 residents.

Brymbo is the area which currently varies most from the commission’s target at almost 70 per cent above it, with Conservative councillor Paul Rogers acting on behalf of 3,107 people.

Meanwhile, Mike Davies in Rhosnesni speaks for the second highest number of residents at 2,887 (57.4 per cent) followed by Alan Edwards in New Broughton with 2,872 (56.6 per cent).

The commission is inviting feedback from the public following the launch of a consultation period on Monday.

Deputy chief executive Matt Redmond said: “In accordance with the Local Government Act, we do not make proposals at the start of the review.

“There is a 12 week public consultation asking interested parties and the public for suggestions to improvements to the existing arrangements.

“After this consultation, and deliberations within the commission, we publish draft proposals.

“We are likely to publish these proposals in the summer of 2019.

“Our reviews are informed by our policy and practice document, and the council size policy contained within it.”