Have your say as fight begins in Arran review
The public consultations on councillor numbers and ward boundaries, that could result in Arran being left with just one councillor to represent the ward, began this week.
The consultation by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland started its public consultation on its proposed electoral arrangements for North Ayrshire on Wednesday.
The current review covers the number of councillors on the council and the number and boundaries of wards for the election of those councillors.
The proposals for public consultation in North Ayrshire recommend 33 councillors across nine wards where there are currently 33 councillors in 10 wards. Arran and Ardrossan which has three councillors, Timothy Billings, Ellen McMaster and Tony Gurney, but the recommendation is for Arran to be a single member ward, with just one councillor, something which North Ayrshire Council backed at a full council meeting last month, as previously reported in the Banner.
However, many on the island think the council should have two councillors and will be making their views known to the Boundary Commission
The single member ward for Arran proposals take into account the Islands (Scotland) Act of 2018 which represents Arran’s island status. A two member ward was suggested but this would combine Arran and Ardrossan as a single ward which would not fully represent the ward’s island status.
The commission conducted a consultation on its proposals with North Ayrshire Council earlier this year and has now begun public consultations which will take place over 12 weeks until the end of January.
The commission is seeking members of the public and communities to offer their comments on the proposals so local views can be considered as the commission develops its final recommendations for Scottish Ministers.
The recommendations, if accepted, will be in place for the next local government elections in May 2022.
Further information on the consultation, including boundary maps and reviews, and how you can have your say can be found on the commission’s website at www.consult.lgbc-scotland. gov.uk