Lib Dems propose cut in Councillor numbers
The Liberal Democrats on Wiltshire Council proposed an amendment at today's council meeting to cut the number of Councillors by 12, from 98 to 86.
The number of Wiltshire councillors is currently under review by the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England. The party are proposing a cut in Councillor numbers, the Lib Dems have parted company with the ruling Conservatives on the Council. The Tories, backed by Labour, want to increase the number of Councillors to 99!
"When each Councillor on average cost the tax payer £15,000 a year, and when Council services and budgets are cut while staff face redundancies, it is beyond belief that Wiltshire's Conservative and Labour Councillors want to increase their numbers," said Lib Dem Group leader, Cllr Ian Thorn.
Proposing the Lib Dem alternative, Malmesbury Lib Dem Councillor, Gavin Grant said, "the Local Government Boundary Commission asked the Council Committee, of which I am a member, to start from scratch. They wanted the Council to put forward a serious plan that meant we can work efficiently and effectively on behalf of Wiltshire residents both in delivering services and holding the Executive's plans up to scrutiny. That is what we have done. As a result, we believe that 86 Councillors can successfully run our Council and serve their constituents effectively. That is 12 less than we have now. Hopefully other Councillors will listen to the arguments, see sense, put residents and services first by backing our alternative plan."
ENDS
Reference - Wiltshire Council, 20thFebruary 2018, Lib Dem ammendment - http://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/documents/s140834/LD%20Amendment%20Covering.pdf