SOUTHAMPTON’S political map is set to be redrawn due to a spike in population.

As a result of recent and future development in the Bargate area of the city, the council ward could be due to split in half in a bid to better represent residents.

On Monday, civic chiefs will discuss the proposals for the possible new ward which would see a Bargate South and Bargate North created, sparking an all out election next year.

As previously reported, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England is currently reviewing the wards in the city to ensure that councillors represent the same number of people.

This comes as the areas population has increased in recent years making the existing wards “unbalanced”.

In 2018, a council report showed that the population of the ward was 23,473, but stated that this was expected to rise by almost 20 per cent by 2024.

Changes could also be made to surrounding wards, including Swaythling and Bevois and would be implemented in May 2023 if accepted by the Boundary Commission.

Deputy council leader and cabinet member for growth, Cllr Jeremy Moulton said that Bargate is “far too large”.

“It’s undemocratic if you’ve got 15,000 electors in one ward and 10,000 in an another, the one that lives in the bigger ward, their vote counts for less.

“The principle we’ve adopted is we want to minimise the impact of that spillover affect so that we’re not disrupting established ward boundaries because it causes confusion for people.”

Once the council has made a decision, it will then make a recommendation to the Boundary Commission to go alongside comments from residents.

These will then be considered when the commission begins drawing up new boundaries.

Opposition leader, Cllr Satvir Kaur told the Echo: “The city boundary review is Southampton’s opportunity to bring natural communities together and ensure ward boundary lines make sense to those we serve.

“It will for example, give us a chance to bring the Flowers Estate together, rather than continuing to be split down the middle, which we know is an issue for local people.

“While the Labour Group will continue to work closely with the administration on the council’s submission, what is most important is for local communities to have their say about any changes they would like to see.”

Meanwhile, Bargate ward cllr, Sarah Bogle said the changes are expected as Bargate is “by far the largest ward and is projected to grow even further over the next few years.

“The finer details will need examining and I encourage residents to have a look to see if they can make sense in terms of communities and place.”

Fellow Bargate Cllr, John Noon said the extra ward is “long overdue”.

“It’s about ensuring democracy and people’s voices are heard better” he said.