THE Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has been accused of 'completely ignoring' the views of residents after publishing its final recommendations for new electoral arrangements in the town.

Tuesday's publication, which draws up new boundaries for each ward across Warrington, follows an eight-week public consultation on the independent body's draft proposals.

LGBCE has opted to stick with its draft recommendations despite widespread criticism from those at the Town Hall.

The commission's final document proposes Warrington should be represented by 58 councillors in the future – one more than the current arrangement.

The recommendations also say councillors should represent 14 three-member wards and eight two-member wards.

If they are implemented by Parliament, the Hatton, Stretton and Walton ward will be erased.

Ward councillor Paul Kennedy said: "I am very disappointed for the residents of Hatton, Stretton and Walton that from May 2016 they will no longer be represented by their own designated borough councillor and I, and they, are rightly concerned that there is not even recognition of the three parish names in the new ward patterns."

If passed, Appleton will take over the majority of the area, with a section of Lower Walton to be recognised as Stockton Heath and land in Appleton Thorn will also be attributed to the newly-formed Grappenhall ward.

Stockton Heath councillor Laurence Murphy said he is 'happy to welcome' new residents to his ward.

He added: "I will be sorry to lose to Grappenhall part of Stockton Heath and the residents that I have proudly represented for the last four years."

The changes also include an introduction of Lymm North and Thelwall, Lymm South, Chapelford and Old Hall and Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall wards.

And the Liberal Democrats have slammed the commission.

Chairman Cllr Ian Marks said: "Faceless bureaucrats sitting in their ivory tower in London surrounded by maps and tables have completely ignored the views of people."

Leader Cllr Bob Barr added: "There were around a hundred submissions to the consultation from residents in the south of the town.

"They objected to half of Lymm being linked to Thelwall and part of Grappenhall, to changes in the boundary between Stockton Heath and Appleton and to Appleton Thorn being put in with Grappenhall.

"Proposing a ten-member parish ward in Stockton Heath alongside a single member and a two-member ward is just plain stupid and you could end up with a ballot paper with forty names on it."

LGBC received 144 submissions during its draft recommendations consultation – 107 of which were from residents.

More than 100 were received specific to the south of the town, including a petition with over 700 signatures objecting to proposals to divide Lymm between two wards over fears the community would be 'split'.

Many submissions were also received following concerns for Stockton Heath and Appleton.

Some believe the arrangements will not 'reflect community identities' in the area.

A draft order – the legal document which brings into force the recommendations – will be laid in Parliament in the coming months.

It will provide for the new electoral arrangements to come into force at the all-out council election in May.

The council is also carrying out a consultation on a review of polling districts, which will start on December 14 and run until January 8.

The matter will be discussed at Monday’s full council meeting.

For further information visit lgbce.org.uk.