Horsforth should remain in one electoral ward otherwise it will not be fairly and properly represented, the Boundary Commission is being warned.

Town Council chairman John Brodwell has submitted a letter to the commission to state why he believes that Horsforth should remain the same after next year's boundary review.

The commission has received proposals from all three political parties in Leeds, but because of Labour's dominance, the majority proposal is to scrap the former Otley and Wharfedale, Aireborough, and Horsforth wards.

The new Horsforth ward could also take in part of Rawdon.

Coun Brodwell has also condemned the proposals from the Conservatives to have a Horsforth and Rawdon ward and a Horsforth Woodside and Kirkstall ward.

Coun Brodwell said: "Among the justifications suggested for dividing Horsforth between two wards is the alleged advantage to Horsforth of having six councillors.

"This totally overlooks the point that in relation to Horsforth, which is added to Kirkstall, their three councillors would have responsibility for a much larger section of their ward which is not Horsforth, and which has no community of interest with Horsforth.

"Similarly that part of Horsforth which is attached to Rawdon would find that its three councillors would have responsibility for an equally large area which again has little community of interest with Horsforth.

"It is interesting that the people who advocate the advantage of six councillors for Horsforth deprecate the fact that Rawdon is now divided between three wards and as a result has nine councillors representing it.

"The other alleged advantages that Horsforth Town Council's boundaries will remain as at present notwithstanding the division of the ward and that Horsforth is not split between three or four wards are in reality not under challenge.

"The Boundary Committee cannot alter the boundaries of Horsforth Town Council and there are no proposals to divide Horsforth into more than two wards.

"I hope that people of Horsforth will recognise that the town council is determined to do all that it can to ensure that Horsforth remains within one electoral ward."

The Boundary Commission will review all the ward boundary proposals submitted to it and come out with their own draft scheme in the New Year.

This will be followed by a six week consultation period leading to the publication of a final set of proposals next summer.

The 2004 city council elections when the whole council will be up for re-election will then be fought on the new boundaries