A massive re-shaping of electoral boundaries is set to shake up the political scene when voters go to the polls in the district council elections on Thursday, May 2.

The first major ward boundary changes since the 1970s are about to come into effect with the potential to alter the political make-up of Epping Forest district council.

The number of seats is being cut by one to 58 with some wards set to vanish from the political map.

Liberal Democrat councillor Doug Kelly will see his present ward of Roothing Country - which incorporates Fyfield, Willingale and the Rodings - disappear.

Cllr Kelly, who has represented the ward for six years, will now stand for re-election in the newly created ward of Moreton and Fyfield, which also covers Bobbingworth and the Lavers.

The current ward member for Moreton and Matching, Cllr Richard Morgan, will be moving over to fight for the seat of Hastingwood, Matching and Sheering.

High Ongar ward member Cllr Maggie McEwan has confirmed she will be standing in the purposefully expanded ward of High Ongar, Willingale and the Rodings.

Cllr McEwan, who is also the Conservative Group leader, said: I know where I am standing, but I don't know where the opposition are standing."

Epping Forest District Council's political make-up is a closely fought battle though the Conservatives are the largest group holding 20 seats. Liberal Democrats hold 16, Labour have 12 and Loughton Residents and Independents have control of the remaining 11 seats.

Ian Willett, the head of Epping Forest Council's policy unit, said it was impossible to predict the outcome of the forthcoming elections.

Under the changes Ongar, which is presently three wards becomes two, with the Chipping Ongar ward merging with Greensted and Marden Ash to be represented by two councillors. Shelley remains as a single member ward with a minor boundary alteration north of the Four Wantz roundabout.

Abbess Beauchamp and Berners Roding will form part of a new ward of High Ongar, Willingale and the Rodings with a single council seat.

Fyfield is being placed in a new ward with Moreton which will also cover Bobbingworth and the Lavers.

Matching ward will be placed in a ward with Sheering and the Hastingwood with one council representative.

Published Friday, March 8, 2002