The clock is ticking for residents who want to have their say on a new pattern of council wards for East Devon District Council.

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is conducting an electoral review that will re-draw boundaries across the district.

Residents can comment on the proposals - including a recommendation that the number of councillors increases by one to 60 - before December 5.

Professor Colin Mellors, who chair the commission, said: “We are asking local people to help us draw up a new pattern of council wards for the whole district.

“We want to hear views on where people think the focal point of their community is and where the natural boundaries between communities might lie.

“As we draw new boundaries, we will try to ensure that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters.

“We also aim to produce a pattern of wards that reflects the interests and identities of local communities.

“The commission will carefully consider all evidence presented to it during this phase of the review whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole district or just a small part of it.”

The commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters.

The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across East Devon.

Visit www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk before December 5 to comment.

There will be another chance to comment when the commission publishes its draft recommendations in February 2017.