MAJOR changes to Somerset’s electoral map could see towns like Frome split into five divisions, and residents now have ten weeks to have their say.

Somerset Council was created with 110 elected members, two for each of the 55 divisions on boundaries inherited from Somerset County Council (with Glastonbury and Street being split into separate divisions).

The council put forward its initial proposals to reduce the number of councillors in mid-September 2024, envisioning a drop from 110 councillors to 96 – a drop of around 13 per cent.

Following an initial consultation in November 2024, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has now published its proposals for the battlegrounds in which these 96 councillors will be elected in a little under two years’ time – with residents having until August to give their feedback.

Unlike the current system, the LGBCE is proposing 96 divisions each represented by a single councillor – meaning that all existing division boundaries will significantly change.

To this end, Frome will be split into five divisions, with the new Frome South division stretching all the way from the Keyford development sites across the A361 to the Wiltshire border.

Shepton Mallet and Wells will both be split into two divisions, with the latter being surrounding by two large divisions to cover the villages in the shadow of the Mendip Hills.

Glastonbury and Street will have two divisions each, with the Glastonbury Festival site lying in the neighbouring Shepton Mallet West and Pilton division.

Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge will be split across four divisions, with the new Burnham North, Berrow and Brean division including the smaller villages and numerous holiday parks between the River Axe and the Bristol Channel.

Bridgwater will have seven divisions (eight if the Stockmoor and Willstock division at the southern edge is included), with the ward names reflecting many of the historic neighbourhood names, including Bower, Hamp and Victoria.

Watchet and Williton will have their own shared division, being separated from the rest of the northern Quantock Hills, with the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station being sited within the new Quantock Vale division.

Both Minehead and the Somerset part of the Exmoor National Park will be split across two divisions, with the Exmoor East and Brendon Hills division including Dunster and the neighbouring villages.

Wellington will get two divisions, while Rockwell Green will have its own division encompassing both the village and numerous smaller villages towards Wiveliscombe.

To give your views on the proposals for Somerset Council, visit www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/somerset, e-mail [email protected] or post a written response to The Review Officer (Somerset), LGBCE, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London, EC1Y 8YZ by August 11.

Following the consultation, the LGBCE will publish its final recommendations on December 2, which will be laid before parliament for approval in the spring of 2026.

The next local elections for Somerset (excluding any by-elections in individual divisions) will be held on May 6, 2027.