Plans to redraw Medway's political map have been put forward.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has published its final proposals for ward boundaries.

The boundaries not only affect what ward people live in but also how residents are represented politically.

The consultation - which has included more than 600 residents, political groups, and MPs - began in 2019.

Among the changes the Commission has put forward, 59 councillors could represent the Towns' residents, an increase of four; each councillor will represent an average of 3,725 people.

The number of wards could also increase from 22 to 24. The boundaries of all wards are also expected to change.

Among the changes, the Hoo Peninsula will go from being one ward covering the whole Peninsula to two with a total of four councillors.

The names of the three Rainham wards would change, and Twydall would become smaller and lose one of its three councillors.

New wards include St Mary's Island, Fort Horsted, Wayfield and Weedswood, and Fort Pitt, whilst others would be amended to either have more focussed representation or include a larger area.

Cllr Rupert Turpin (Con), ward councillor for Rochester South and Horsted, said he had concerns about single member wards, especially if there was something going on in the area that needed attending to.

He said: "There's no back up if someone is on holiday of if they get ill; we don't have secretaries like MPs."

Under the proposal, Fort Horsted would be represented by one councillor.

Cllr Harinder Mahil (Lab), ward member for Chatham Central - which could become Chatham Central and Brompton - is Medway Labour Group's boundary review co-ordinator.

He said: "Considering this whole review was carried out during a really difficult time with the Covid crisis, it's been really difficult for the Boundary Commission to carry out and they have done a really good job and so have council officers and everyone who responded.

"The warding arrangements better resemble the communities we have and that has to change from time to time as wards change and areas grow."

Parliament has to agree the changes and they will be in place for the next local elections in May 2023.

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