PROPOSALS from the Boundary Commission could see the Parliamentary constituency of Redditch – known as Redditch County – inherit Alvechurch, Barnt Green and Wythall from Bromsgrove.
Also falling within the re-drawn boundaries of Redditch would be Hollywood and Hopwood to the north and Cofton Hackett to the west.
Inkberrow would be lost, becoming part of the Evesham constituency instead.
The proposals have been made in an effort to equalise the number of voters in each constituency to within the range of between 71,000 and 78,500 – Redditch is currently well below that figure.
The re-drawn boundaries would also reduce the number of MPs in the House of Commons by 50 to 600.
In its report the Boundary Commission notes that a number of objections from Alvechurch were received over its inclusion in the proposed new Redditch constituency, with the suggestion that the town should remain as part of Bromsgrove – it lies within Bromsgrove district council.
A counter-proposal was for Redditch to keep Inkberrow but be renamed ‘North Worcestershire’.
However it was recognised that for Redditch to achieve the required number of voters Alvechurch would be needed to be added to it.
Commissioners also rejected the idea of changing its name.
The proposals will now go forward to be considered by MPs for approval or rejection.
