Shropshire’s new unitary council will have 74 members, serving wards which are designed to ensure “electoral fairness”, it was announced today.

The Boundary Committee for England has published its final recommendations on what the electoral arrangements for Shropshire Council should look like next year.

• To see the recommendations click here

Under its proposals there will be 46 single-member, 11 two-member and two three-member divisions.

Committee chairman, Max Caller, said: “The aim of a review such as this is to ensure that local government electoral arrangements are right for the people of Shropshire and help to provide a firm foundation for the start of the new unitary authority.”

One of the most contentious issues has been the proposal for a single, three-member ward covering Bayston Hill and the Sutton and Column area of Shrewsbury. However despite opposition the proposal remains.

Modifications have been made to original plans for Albrighton, Shifnal and Sheriffhales, Broseley, and Ellesmere.

Instead of a single three-member Albrighton, Shifnal and Sheriffhales ward, it proposes three single-member areas: Albrighton; Donington, Cosford, Tong and southern Shifnal; and Sheriffhales and northern Shifnal.

A two-member Ellesmere Rural division is now changed to two single-member divisions – St Martin’s and The Meres. Single-member wards are also proposed for Much Wenlock and Broseley.

It is now up to the Electoral Commission to decide whether or not to approve the recommendations, which it is set to do early in the New Year.