Birmingham council boundary changes: Final recommendation made
Final recommendations have been published for a shake-up of boundaries in Birmingham which would lead to more wards but fewer politicians.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England wants the city divided into 69 wards represented by 101 members, rather than the current 40 wards represented by 120.
The commission claimed the plan would deliver equality for voters.
If approved by government, the changes would come into force in 2018.
Commission Chairman Prof Colin Mellors said: "The Commission believes that the new electoral arrangements provide an overall number of councillors that can help the authority set and implement its strategy for the city."
The proposals have been sparked by the Kerslake Review, which recommended the council should be cut from 120 to 101.
They include splitting Balsall Heath into an east and a west ward and reconfiguring Erdington so Short Heath now comes under Perry Common.
However some suggestions from the draft recommendations in May - such as a proposal to divide Perry Barr into two separate wards - have been abandoned after hundreds of residents raised objections.
Erdington councillor Robert Alden, leader of the Conservative group, said: "I'm grateful the commission has listened to residents. The only area where they haven't is Balsall Heath.
"But at the end of the day this is probably the best Birmingham was going to get."