DUDLEY is to get new boundaries for its council wards.

The Local Government Boundary Commission, the independent body that draws the boundaries, has reviewed Dudley to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively.

The Commission has now published final recommendations for changes in Dudley.

It says residents should be represented by 72 councillors - the same as now.

There will be 24 wards and 24 three-councillor wards.

The boundaries of nine wards are expected to change; 15 will stay the same.

Publishing the recommendations Professor Colin Mellors, chair of the Commission, said: “We are very grateful to people in Dudley. We looked at all the views they gave us. They helped us improve our earlier proposals.

“We believe the new arrangements will deliver electoral fairness while maintaining local ties.”

42 people and organisations made comments to help decide the new wards.

Changes in response to what local people said include: ·Belmont Road, Crabbe Street, Hill Bank, King Street and Pearson Street included in Lye & Stourbridge North ward; Brierley Hill ward renamed Brierley Hill & Wordsley South, Wordsley ward renamed Wordsley North, Cradley & Wollescote renamed Cradley North & Wollescote.

Full details on the changes can be found online at www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/dudley

The changes become law once Parliament has approved them.

Staff at Dudley Council will ensure arrangements are in place for the 2024 elections.