Residents across Hertfordshire are being asked to help draw up a new pattern of electoral divisions for the county council.

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is in its first part of an electoral review which will re-draw division boundaries for Hertfordshire County Council.

The commission has also announced that it is likely to recommend that the county council should continue to have 77 county councillors in the future.

The commission now needs information from people and groups across Hertfordshire to help produce a new pattern of electoral divisions to accommodate the county councillors.

In drawing up new boundaries, the commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each county councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. The review also aims to ensure that the new council divisions reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across Hertfordshire.

Max Caller, chairman of the commission, said: “We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new electoral divisions for Hertfordshire. As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.

“If you have a view about which communities, parishes or neighbourhoods should be part of the same county division, then we want to hear from you. And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part of Hertfordshire, then this consultation is for you.

“Your views will make a difference. We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole of Hertfordshire or just a small part of the county. Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in September.”

Residents have until June 23 to submit their views. Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing divisions can be found at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk