Move could see less councillors
COUNCILLORS in Rhondda Cynon Taff have backed calls to look into reducing the number of elected members to free up resources for frontline services and create a fairer councillor to elector ratio.
A notice of motion put before full council on Wednesaday, April 25, by Councillor Michael Powell, Liberal Democrat, suggested that there are many “glaring discrepancies” in the current councillor to elector/resident ratio in many of the council’s wards.
He also highlighted that, with the ability to use more advanced communication technology, the number of representatives elected to Rhondda Cynon Taf council can be reduced considerably thus freeing up much needed resources to be put into frontline services such as education.
A report will be commissioned to look into how the county wards can be realigned to provide a more fair and equitable councillor to voter/resident balance through a scrutiny committee working group.
Plaid Cymru tabled an amendment, which was approved, that it should be subject to the Welsh Government adopting the council merger proposals in the Green Paper in whole or in part and that the working group’s report will form the basis of the council’s comments to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales on any new arrangements that may emerge.
Councillor Michael Powell said: “This is an opportunity to be proactive in recognising there is a need for change. There is a desparate need to do it.”
He said that there are some wards with one member representing 4,000 people and others with fewer than 3,000 people represented by two members.
He added: “It can’t continue. It’s not fair on members and electors. It is an opportunity for a preemptive strike against the boundary commission.”
He said that it would show to the outside world that the council is not just sitting about in its “ivory bungalow” and that it would give them leverage in future negotiations.
Councillor Pauline Jarman, leader of the council’s Plaid Cymru group, mentioned that there was a debate on a motion happening in The Senedd as they spoke. She said that a merger between RCT, Merthyr and Bridgend could end see that authority have 154 councillors with the maximum 75 from RCT, 49 from Bridgend and 30 from Merthyr.
She said: “It could prove to be unwieldy and difficult to manage.”
Cllr Jarman said their time might be better used concentrating on what councillors should be doing.
Councillor Geraint Davies, Plaid Cymru, said: “There is enough work councillors have to do without wasting time on a regime that is likely to change before long.
Cllr Kevin Morgan, Labour and leader of the council, said that the Labour group would be withdrawing their proposed amendment and supporting the one tabled by Plaid Cymru. The motion was passed unanimously.