A NUMBER of ward boundary changes around Test Valley have been approved by the council after a summer-long consultation.

The community governance review was set up to research whether any changes should be made to parish governance arrangements, and asked residents to offer their views.

A cross-party group of borough councillors gave the green light to the final draft plans on September 5.

The review studied a number of issues, including whether to create a new parish, or alter the boundary instead. Test Valley Borough Council said the review was to help ensure that local governance arrangements were both convenient and effective to 'better reflect the needs of local communities'.

Corporate portfolio holder, cllr Maureen Flood said: "I would like to thank everyone who took the time to submit their feedback during the public consultation on the proposals.

"I would also like to thank all of the councillors and officers who have undertaken a huge amount of work to get us to where we are now. I am pleased that we are in a position to submit our recommendations to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) and look forward to their response."

The proposals included seeing an area near Parsonage Farm move from Romsey Extra to Awbridge and part of North Baddesley move into the Ampfield and Braishfield area.

The most substantial changes involve Andover, by moving Augusta Park and Burghclere Down into Andover Town.

On September 5, the plans were approved following two consultations, with the second running between May and July this year.

The authority will now seek the required consent from the LGBCE before looking at ways of implementing the new arrangements.

The new boundaries will come into force at the next borough elections, which are scheduled for May 2019, as long as they are approved by the LGBCE.