A shake-up of the electoral arrangements in Stratford has been recommended, with wards in Studley and Alcester set for a change.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has published its final recommendations for new electoral arrangements for Stratford District Council following a ten-week public consultation on its draft proposals, and new boundaries for each council ward across the district have been drawn.

The commission recommended that Stratford District Council should be represented by 36 councillors in the future, seventeen fewer than the current arrangements, in a move that will save thousands in councillor expenses.

In response to views expressed by local people and organisations, the commission has proposed to re-name Studley North and Studley South wards as Studley with Mappleborough Green and Studley with Sambourne respectively.

It is also recommended that Alcester be split in two, namely an Alcester East and Alcester West ward.

Max Caller, chair of the commission, said: “We are extremely grateful to the people of Stratford who took the time and effort to send us their views. We believe these recommendations deliver electoral equality for voters as well as reflecting the identities of communities across the district.”

The proposed new arrangements must now be implemented by Parliament before they come into force.