Try not to panic, but the very fabric of Southwark is set to be torn apart in 2018.
Or, at least, the borough’s council ward boundaries will most likely change following a consultation period running from now until April.
The independent Local Government Boundary Commission have put forward a proposal which will see the size and shape of wards altered and the number of councillors in some wards cut down.
Some areas which are currently served by three councillors will potentially be served by two or even a single councillor following the switch-up. These changes will attempt more evenly to reflect the number of residents served by a single residents.
Other wards which are currently spread over a large and diverse area will be cut down into smaller, more compact segments.
For example, Grange ward, which stretches from London Bridge to the Blue, would become two new wards called Bridges Ward and South Bermondsey Ward under the proposals.
Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, is eager to hear what Southwark residents think of his proposed changes.
He said: “Over the next eight weeks, we are asking local people to tell us if they agree with the proposals or if not, how they can be improved.
“We want to ensure that our proposals reflect the interests and identities of local communities across Southwark and that the pattern of wards can help the council deliver effective local government to local people.”
To view a map showing the proposed ward boundary changes, please visit our website.
Have your say on the ward changes by visiting:
https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/5979 or by writing to The Review Officer (Southwark), Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 14th floor, Millbank Tower, London, SW1P 4QP.