Sutton’s electoral boundaries could be set to change as the government continues to review borders across London ahead of the next local elections in 2022.

May 2019 marks the beginning of the first audit into the borough’s boundaries by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) for 19 years.

The last time Sutton’s electoral boundaries were reviewed was in 2000, and Sutton is one of 24 other London boroughs to be on that list.

At the time, the LGBCE recommended Sutton should have two fewer councillors, down from 56 to 54, and asked there to be seven fewer wards, from 25 down to 18.

Some which were separate but part of the same area were merged into one, such as Cheam and Worcester Park, whilst others like Woodcote were scrapped entirely following the review.

Individual borough reviews decide how many councillors should be elected to each council, the boundaries and every ward’s name.

The new wards will then come into effect at London’s next local elections in around three years’ time.

The LGBCE, which is legally obliged to conduct electoral reviews of every council across England “from time to time”, says it’s done to ensure fairness for voters.

Professor Colin Mellors OBE, chair of the commission, said: “Our reviews will make local elections in London fairer for voters and we will try and build council wards that mean something to local communities.

“Everyone living in the boroughs under review will get a chance to have their say on new council wards in their area. After all, local people know their area best.”

Sutton, Kingston and Richmond will all have their electoral boundaries reviewed by the LGBCE this month, followed by six more boroughs through to April 2020.