Councillor numbers ‘should stay same’

THE number of councillors in Rhondda Cynon Taf should stay at its current level, experts have recommended

In its 10-yearly review of electoral arrangements, the Boundary Commission for Wales says the number of councillors in RCT should stay at 75.

The commission’s aim is to ensure a balanced number of councillors to residents across Wales.

The commission has taken account of the urban nature and population density of the county borough when coming to its view and says the council should keep within 10% of the 75 where possible.

During the review, the commission considers the number of councillors, the number, type and boundaries of the electoral wards in the council area, the number of members to be elected for any electoral ward in the council area and the name of any electoral ward.

One of the main aims of the commission’s review is to achieve “electoral parity” across the council area.

The boundary commission’s findings, presented in a report to full council on Wednesday, also aims to discourage multi-member wards but says that they should be kept to a maximum of three wherever they are necessary.

It also suggests using natural boundaries as far as possible, discourages the revision of boundaries unless necessary and that wards should have one name which ideally should be bilingual.

The council will consider the proposals over the coming months and this will include a presentation from the Boundary Commission for Wales in July.