A formal proposal to cut the present number of 31 Western Isles councillors to 26 has been submitted to the Scottish Government.
The outcome will determine the number of posts for the next local council elections in 2017.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland consulted on the issue last year and has now drawn up its conclusions.
Proposals previously put forward by the councillors to slash their numbers by a third in a bid to save quarter of a million pounds have been rejected.
Final plan cuts number of Western Isles councillors and creates superwards
24 May 2016
In 2011, the Comhairle advocated slashing 11 councillors leaving only 20 or so members representing the widespread, scattered communities across the Hebridean island chain.
The commission disagreed and suggested a maximum of 28 councillors. However, the Comhairle insisted on a lesser figure and negotiated a reduction to 26 members plus concessions where the commission's intentions cut through natural community ties.
Ronnie Hinds, chair of the commission, said: "Today we have submitted to Scottish Ministers our recommendations for electoral arrangements which we believe are in the interests of effective and convenient local government across Scotland.
Final Western Isles proposals:
Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay & South Uist No change to current boundaries but cut in number of councillors from 4 to 3. Forecast electorate is 2,490.
Benbecula & North Uist No change to current boundaries. Number of councillors to remain at three. Around 3,000 people are forecast to be entitled to vote in the ward.
Harris, Lochs, Uig and Bernera Four councillors in a new single superward, reflecting the wish that the entire Lochs community be in one electoral ward, linked with Harris, and including Uig and Bernera. This effectively combines two current wards into one. Electorate is around the 3,500 mark.
Point Extension of current boundaries to include Parkend, Holm and Sandwick with combined forecast electorate of 2,356. New ward excludes Plasterfield and Steinish as had been previously considered. Renamed Sgìre an Rubha agus Sanndabhaig (Point & Sandwick).
Stornoway South Reduction from four councillors to three. Parkend, Holm and Sandwick are no longer part of the ward. Plasterfield and Steinish remain.
Stornoway North Reduction from four councillors to three. Includes Gleann Dubh, recognising the area’s obvious links with Newmarket, rather than Tong. Also includes a number of houses just outside Marybank on Lochs Road. Arnish is now part of the ward.
Broadbay Gleann Dubh now in Stornoway North. Three councillors.
Ness & Westside Extended to include Carloway, Tolsta Chaolais, Breasclete, Callanish, Garynahine and Lochganvich with four councillors for the enlarged area. Name change to Nis, An Taobh Siar agus Càrlabhagh. Forecasted electorate is 3,216.