Petition aims to keep deprived community’s name in the public eye after boundary changes

Under changes instigated by the Local Government Boundary Commission, ward boundaries and names will change in the borough, with the current Dalton, East Herringthorpe and Thrybergh ward among those being remodelled.

In future it will be know as the Dalton and Thrybergh ward, although East Herringthorpe will still feature within its boundary.

Now community campaigner Michael Sylvester has started action which he hopes will eventually see the East Herringthorpe name re-instated.

That is important, he believes, to help ensure a community with many needs does not fall from the sight of the council’s decision-makers in future.

Rotherham Council say the new name was set by the boundary commission, but Mr Sylvester said the council can opt to change ward names itself, under legislation dating from 2007.

However, to do so the council would need to consult on the suggestion and would need two thirds of councillors to agree to the change.

Mr Sylvester said: “It may seem like a little thing but East Herringthorpe is the most neglected and forgotten part of the local area and if we are to support those who work hard and have pride in the area, it will be important from the start to remind any new councillors that the estate should be seen as an equal part of the ward.”

He will be gathering names on a petition to try to persuade the council it should move to keep the East Herringthorpe name in the ward’s identity.

A Rotherham Council spokesman said: "The decision to name the ward Dalton and Thrybergh was taken by Parliament on the recommendation of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) following an open consultation, which included the opportunity to comment on ward names. Local councils have no decision making powers with regard to naming their wards."