Councillors nailed their colours to the mast during an emotive debate on new ward boundaries that would see areas reduced from 22 wards to 16.

They argued for more than two-and-a-half hours on Monday, March 16, on the wards people could end up in, following a boundary review.

Councillor Andrew Kelly, for Walton Ambleside, said it was clear they were never going to be entirely happy with the changes, but since councillors had voted for elections by thirds the boundary review was inevitable.

Councillor James Vickers, who has been councillor for Oxshott and Stoke d'Abernon for 23 years, successfully argued for Stoke d'Abernon to be retained in one new ward name.

Councillor Rachael Lake, for Walton North, said: "I'm going to try and keep emotion out of my voice because I'm sure at some stage it will get very emotional in this chamber."

Adding in her closing comments: "Walton North is disappearing, and I'm Walton North and all I'm interested in is that the residents of Walton North are looked after by whoever represents them."

Ward names were strongly debated as councillors fought for the identities of the wards they currently represent.

Councillor Dorothy Mitchell reminded the chamber to keep perspective during the debate. She said if the postal addresses remained the same, residents would not be upset.

Councillor Chris Sadler, representing Walton Central, said of the 16 three-member wards proposed: "A better job can be done and should be done."

He listed the amendments the Residents' Association Group wanted to make, including how wards were divided, and said: "If you have not sat down yourself to consider where the boundaries should be drawn, you may not appreciate the scale of the problem [of retaining current ward identities within the change]."

Coun Sadler made reference to Walton War Memorial, which would be in a different ward in the "bizarre" and "wholly unacceptable" plans.

The names and boundaries of the wards agreed on for Elmbridge Council to propose to the Boundary Commission, are Claygate, Oxshott and Stoke d'Abernon, Cobham and Downside, Weybridge Brooklands, Weybridge Riverside, Hersham Village, Oatlands and Ashley Park, Walton Central, Walton Ambleside, Molesey Riverside, Molesey South, Thames Ditton, Long Ditton, Weston Green and Hinchley Wood, Esher and Hersham Riverside and Rydens.

The current consultation will end on March 31, a second period of public consultation will run into August and it is anticipated the Boundary Commission will make final recommendations in September.