CIVIC chiefs have voted unanimously to back plans for a new ward to be created in Southampton.

On Monday, councillors met to discuss the council’s recommendation to the Boundary Commission as part of its boundary review of the city.

As previously reported, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England is currently reviewing the wards in the city to ensure that councillors represent the same number of people.

Councillors noted that some wards in the city have become unbalanced and have now put forward proposals for Bargate to be split into Bargate North and Bargate South, as well as smaller changed to other areas including Bassett and Swaythling.

The proposals were backed unanimously by councillors which will now see the proposals put forward to the Boundary Commission as the authority’s response to the consultation.

Speaking to the Echo after the meeting, leader of the council, Cllr Daniel Fitzhenry said: “I’m pleased that we’ve got cross party support for the boundary proposals.

“These need to happen because some of the wards are bigger than others and the proposals lay out the creation of a new ward in the city centre and a fairer distribution of electors across the city.

“I urge residents and businesses to give their thoughts on the next steps of the consultation.”

Residents are being consulted on the changes which will see a full election take place in 2023.

Speaking at the meeting, leader of the opposition, Cllr Satvir Kaur said that the review is “an opportunity to try and unite communities that haven’t traditionally been united”.