Fewer councillors for Argyll and Bute
Proposals for a reduction in councillor numbers in Argyll and Bute have sparked a debate among the area’s elected representatives.
The plans put forward by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland (LGBCS) would see the number of councillors in the area cut from 36 to 34 and the number of wards increase from 11 to 12.
The proposals would also mean the Helensburgh Central and Isle of Bute wards would each lose a councillor, going from four to three and from three to two respectively.
A proposed corporate response from the council to the commission’s proposals was debated at a full council meeting on September 24.
Helensburgh and Lomond South councillor Richard Trail said that while there were positives to the proposals, they may not reflect the views of all members.
He said: ‘It is certainly not my view that the proposals are poor. I think they have made a very good case and have met the remit. They have respected islanders’ concerns about better representation.
‘However, I think it would be more appropriate for councillors to make their own personal representation and the council does not submit this mish-mash of individual views, rather than a substantial view of the council.’
Council executive director Douglas Hendry responded: ‘What we tried to do was distil it down into a number of basic points.
‘I hear what Councillor Trail is saying, but from an officer’s point of view, there is a logic to the proposals.
‘It is up to individual members to put their own comment into the Boundary Commission. My advice would be it is not the best course of action and members should try to reach a consensus.’
Councillor George Freeman, Independent, Lomond South, said: ‘There are a lot of things in this proposal that I don’t agree with and I agree individual members should put in their own comments. I don’t see how 36 councillors can come to a consensus.’
Despite the concerns, new council leader Robin Currie moved the recommendation that the plans should form the basis of the council’s response to the Boundary Commission.
The motion was passed by 19 votes to 13.