WEST CRAVEN residents have three weeks to comment on a proposal to join a Ribble Valley Parliamentary constituency, after an initial consultation divided opinion.
The Boundaries Commission has published all the responses and wants people’s reactions.
Any revisions to proposals will be published later this year. Final recommendations will be made in October, 2013.
At a two-day public hearing held in Preston, several speakers presented their support or opposition for the proposal of a Ribble Valley constituency, which would stretch as far as Preston’s Fishwick ward.
Coun. Edward Johnson, representing Earby Town Council, travelled to the Preston venue by public transport in three hours and 20 minutes, demonstrating how difficult it would be for West Craven residents should a constituency base be placed there.
He said West Craven had socially integrated with the rest of Pendle through work, education and shopping, and more so than with the Ribble Valley.
Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said that there was cross-party support for the Pendle constituency to be retained, and agreed with a proposal that the Burnley wards of Briercliffe and Cliviger and Worsthorne should be added to Pendle to reach the number of constituents required by the shake up.
However, Barnoldswick resident Paula Ann Payne said West Craven “welcomed and supported” the recommendations, saying, “Pendle councillors will lose their seats and will try scaremonger tactics to retain West Craven, but these are the councillors’ views on a personal level, not the people’s. I spent a day going round Earby and Barnoldswick and had only one adverse comment.”
Responses can be viewed and comments made at consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk until noon on April 3rd.