COUNCILS in south Oxfordshire have opposed some proposed changes to ward boundaries, warning they show a lack of local knowledge.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have agreed responses to Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) plans.

The Vale opposed plans for a new Faringdon and Watchfield ward, saying Faringdon is “quite distinct from the rural parishes adjacent to it”.

It said a plan for a three-member Kennington ward “betrays a lack of local knowledge” by including Sunningwell and South Hinksey.

The council said: “Issues affecting the closely located villages of Kennington and Radley are bound to dominate.”

And it said Drayton and Sutton Courtenay should have their own wards instead of a combined ward proposed by the commission. This would ensure each member has a “clear focus” the council agreed, adding: “We struggle to understand the LGBCE thinking here.”

South Oxfordshire District Council’s objections included LGBCE plans for a single Chinnor ward instead of two as it is “too big”.

It said perhaps the “most controversial” plan was to put the Hagbournes into Didcot south.

It said the Hagbournes are distinct from Didcot and it would be “difficult for councillors to represent both effectively”.

Any changes will take effect from 2015.