Local elections could be given a shake-up in Hitchin and North Herts.

The changes may mean residents could vote less often for councillors or be represented by a new ward.

In our town and surrounding areas, elections may become less frequent as the council considers whether to hold votes once every four years, rather than electing one third of councillors every year.

People in our area are being asked for their opinions ahead of potential changes to district council elections.

The council is in the early stages of reviewing their electoral process, which may also see a change in size of the council and a new ward map from 2024.

At a full council meeting earlier this month, NHDC approved plans to begin a public consultation through October on how often residents would like to vote for councillors.

The council will be preparing a submission for the Local Government Boundary Commission on a preferred council size in January 2022, with a consultation on warding patterns expected next summer.

Final recommendations on the new electoral process for North Herts is due to be published in March 2023.

Any changes in North Herts will be first implemented ahead of elections in May 2024.

The consultation period will run for five weeks between October 4 until November 8, and will be available from the North Herts website here