MAJOR changes to York's political map mean the city will lose six councillors.

The Government has rubber-stamped plans to revise City of York Council ward boundaries.

With effect from the 2003 local government elections, York will be made up of 22 wards, seven less than present. They will be represented by 47 councillors, rather than the present 53.

The changes reflect population changes, and it is hoped they will make City of York Council more representative.

But some members claim they have ignored strong links between areas.

Conservative leader John Galvin said his ward, which currently covers Copmanthorpe and Bishopthorpe, will be split and Copmanthorpe will be included with Upper Poppleton and Rufforth.

He said: "Numbers have taken precedence over community links and historical links, and I am very disappointed about that.

"It breaks what I would say is a fairly long link between Copmanthorpe and Bishopthorpe."

All councillors in York need to stand for re-election in York in 2003, and need to decide which ward they want to represent where changes have been made.

Modifications include a new three-member Westfield ward and two-member Acomb ward.

It will use the River Foss as a boundary to unite the Groves area with a new two member Guildhall ward.

Dunnington ward will be renamed Derwent, Knavesmire will become Micklegate and the existing Micklegate will become Woodthorpe and Dringhouses.

Council leader Rod Hills said: "What it does is get rid of a lot of anomalies.

"With the old boundaries, wards were different sizes in terms of numbers of electors per councillor. This is a much better system, and is more representative."

Liberal leader Steve Galloway said: "We regret the reduction in size of the council as this will result in some very large three member wards.

"However, we believe that many natural community boundaries have been recognised, for example the whole of the Chapelfields estate, for the first time, will be contained within one ward.

"We expect that the new boundaries will lead to a council which is more representative of the community in political terms."

Updated: 15:46 Thursday, October 11, 2001