THE final recommendations for the Isle of Wight Council’s ward boundaries have been published.

The Local Government Boundary Commission has recommended the Island should have 39 councillors — one less than the current number.

In the west of the Island, the commission has changed its original recommendations so the shopping area around Avenue Road would be part of the Freshwater division, rather than Totland as previously proposed.

Colwell will now be part of the Totland division, rather than Freshwater as previously suggested.

In Ryde, the boundary between Ryde North East and Ryde South East divisions will run along West Hill Road and Park Road.

In the south of Island, the commission originally proposed a Ventnor and Wroxall ward to cover both communities and be represented by two councillors.

However, following local objections, the plans have been changed to two separate wards, each represented by one councillor.

A number of ward names have been changed. Among the changes, the former Whippingham and Osborne Ward has been split to form a new division — previously named Fairlee and Whippingham.

However, following a suggestion from the Isle of Wight Conservative Association the ward, the parish ward of Fairlee, has been renamed just Fairlee as Whippingham now falls under the neighbouring ward.

Ryde South West has been renamed Haylands, and Swanmore and Ryde Central has been renamed Ryde Monktonmead.

In the west, Totland has been renamed Totland and Colwell. Freshwater North has been renamed Freshwater North and Yarmouth.

Chair of the commission, Professor Colin Mellors, said: “We are extremely grateful to people across Isle of Wight who took part in the review. The Commission has looked at all the evidence that was put forward during the consultation.

“We believe these recommendations deliver electoral fairness for voters as well as reflecting community ties throughout Isle of Wight.”

The final proposals will now go before parliament to be implemented. A draft order will be put forward in the next few months. The arrangements would come into force at the 2021 council elections.