CHANGES to the boundaries within Selby could mask areas of poverty, the town council has warned.

Consultation is currently open on proposals from the Boundary Commission to create three new wards for Selby, which would see mergers within the current three wards and the creation of a new town-centre ward.

Since 1974, Selby Town has been split into three wards – North, South and West – but the proposed changes would create Selby West (incorporating the existing Selby West and Selby North), Selby East (made up of Selby South and part of Barlby Bridge), and a new ward, Selby St James, based around a few streets in the town centre.

Coun Mel Davis said the changes to Selby North would mean less funding would be available for the less affluent area.

Coun Davis said: “Selby North Ward suffers from high levels of poverty and deprivation. Whilst this situation is clearly not a good one, it does give the community access to external funding.

“If the North ward is merged with the more affluent Selby West ward, the poverty and deprivation would statistically disappear, whilst obviously still evident. This proposed change could also affect additional funding received by North Yorkshire County Council for additional support or schools and social services and should be opposed.”

The proposals, which would also see Clog Mill Gardens housing development, currently part of Selby North and half a mile from Selby Abbey, become part of Wistow Parish, three miles away.

Town Council leader Steve Shaw-Wright said the town council would work to create an alternative proposal, and urged residents to have their say.

He said: “I find the proposals for the town the most perverse recommendation they could have come up with. The Commission claims that there is an affinity between the community of Barlby Bridge and the area of Abbots Road and the town centre. I, for one, disagree.”

The full plans are available at consultation.lgbce.org.uk

To have your say, before September 9, email reviews@lgbce.org.uk or write to The Review Officer (Selby), Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street, London, EC1M 5LG.