Local Government Boundary Commission recommends reducing the district council membership by five - to 43.

West Dorset District Council should have 43 members in future - five fewer than at present.

That is the view of the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England following a six-week public consultation.

Now the commission needs information from local residents and groups across West Dorset to help it to produce a new pattern of wards to accommodate the reduced number of councillors.

In drawing up new boundaries, the commission aims to deliver electoral equality so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters.

The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across the district.

Max Caller, chairman of the commission, said: “The starting point of an electoral review is for the commission to take a view on the number of councillors who should represent the authority in future. On the evidence presented to the commission, we are minded to recommend that West Dorset should have 43 councillors in future.

“We are now asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for the district.

“As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.

“People’s views will make a difference. We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole district or just a small part of it.”

Local people have until November 11 to submit their views. Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing wards can be found at consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk.

Residents will have a further chance to have their say after the commission publishes its draft recommendations in February 2014.