Swaffham town councillors against proposals to divide town into two as they are set to write formal response to Local Government Boundary Commission

Councillors in a town that could be divided into two hope that proposals can be “squashed” to keep the town as one.

They say that plans for a Swaffham north and south could result in the town not being fairly represented.

Collectively, the council was in disagreement with the boundary changes, which are a recommendation of the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC).

The LGBC is undertaking a review of political arrangements in the area and will redraw the boundaries of wards represented on Breckland Council.

The boundary changes aim to help improve representation and encourage the authority to work more effectively.

However, councillors have expressed concerns that Swaffham could be incorrectly represented and that the north and south of the town have different facilities and require different things.

Swaffham town councillor Les Scott asked Breckland councillors Judy Anscombe and Jacob Morton if they would avoid issues going on in the opposite ward they would represent.

Cllr Anscombe said: “We already have two other towns that do not have wards. As far as I know, I haven’t seen anyone fall out, they all work together.

“We all want to move things forward for Swaffham. It’s about driving up the workload.”

Councillor John Zielinski added: “What concerns me is the relationship between the town and adjoining wards. Our issues are different to villages like Cockley Cley for example.

“Our town has urban issues. Rural areas will have other issues. I’m also concerned we would be represented by someone from the sticks who wouldn’t understand the issues we have.”

Each Breckland councillor should be representing around 2,200 residents as part of the new proposals. Swaffham has a population of more than 8,000.

Cllr Scott said that “just drawing a boundary” across Swaffham wouldn’t work as the south of the town mainly consists of residential properties and schools while the north has more retail premises.

He added: “I would like to see the town council make a response that highlights these problems.”

Swaffham mayor Cllr Paul Darby said: “When I was a borough councillor, we went through this before. We squashed it then so hopefully we can do it again.”

Councillors agreed to come up with a formal response, with Cllr Zielinski and Scott set to work on a reply to the LGBC.