Labour and Plaid want even more Councillors
Amongst the items on the Council agenda this evening was a debate on a consultation document from Welsh Government which looks at possible reductions in the number of Councillors as part of Local Government reorganization.
The consultation report suggests that there should be a ratio of one Councillor to 4000 electors. At this evening's Council meeting Cllr Maureen Webber suggested that the Council response should be that there should be one Councillor for every 2500 residents. Not the numbers on the electoral roll, but total residents.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Councillor Mike Powell said
"This is ridiculous. At a very rough estimate this would mean 99 Councillors in RCT, 24 more than we have now. The idea is supposed to be to reduce the overall number.
"I was surprised to see Plaid Cymru Councillors voting with Labour on this, but then their Assembly Members did vote with Labour at the Assembly to allow the Local Government Bill to go through after criticising it all along.
"This is a nonsensical response to a serious issue. RCT Lib Dems have already submitted a response and we do not agree with all the suggestions made but one thing we do agree with is there is a need for fewer Councillors."
