CHANGES to local political boundaries could harm parish councils and cause confusion among voters, local councillors have claimed.

A consultation into the changes was launched by the Local Government Boundary Commission after a proposal to reduce the number of Selby District Councillors from 41 to 31.

The new wards would be of roughly equal size, but Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright said the changes could lead to the money brought in by the Olympia Park development benefiting Selby Town when much of the development area is part of Barlby Parish.

He said: “They say they use major natural boundaries of limits of wards but the district council has chosen to cross the River Ouse, which is a considerable boundary in anyone’s book, and taking part of Barlby into Selby East.”

Barlby Councillor Brian Marshall said: “I think to split Barlby in half like they want to do is absolutely stupid.

“The parish council are up in arms about it. We’re dead against it. I can’t see what their idea is it could be dont a lot better than this. We think the best way forward is to put Riccall in with Barlby and make it a two-member ward.”

Coun Shaw-Wright said that in areas like Sherburn-in-Elmet three councillors would share responsibility for the area under the proposed changes, which could lead to confusion.

He said: “We feel there will be three votes taking place at the same time, three individual councillors and they would be in the position of having to pass information to those whose responsibility it would be.”

The commission’s recommendations will be published in June.