Dales boundaries shake-up could unseat six councillors
DERBYSHIRE Dales District Council could be set to axe six of its own councillor positions despite some areas such as Ashbourne South looking to expand its electorate by 50% up to 2026.
Ward boundaries would be shifted to accommodate the reduction in councillors from 39 to 33 at the district council, which says it has fewer responsibilities following the outsourcing of bin collections and leisure centres. The authority says the plan takes into account new housing developments in the area, such as the one planned in Ashbourne South.
Meanwhile, voters in Bakewell and Masson (the Matlock Bath area) are set to drop by a fifth.
The wards which would be axed and merged – and the associated councillors who could lose their posts – have not been announced ahead of a further debate later this year.
Papers published by the authority say the council would save more than £27,000 a year in councillor expenses by dropping six representatives.
The papers say: “The council is seeking a reduction in the number of councillors and submits that the council size be reduced from 39 to 33, given the reduction in service responsibilities over recent years and specifically since the last Electoral Review in 1999, namely, the transfer of the council’s housing stock; outsourcing of the council’s leisure centres; continued outsourcing of the waste and recycling service; and pressures on the council’s financial position.
“The council concludes that a reduction in numbers by six would not adversely affect service delivery or affect the needs of constituents and elected members in terms of community engagement.
“The council considers that such a reduction would be appropriate whilst maintaining a robust approach to effectively discharging its responsibilities.
“The council further contends that the reduction is fit for a district council with reduced service delivery responsibilities in the Peak District National Park.
“The council intends to submit its recommendation on council size to the Electoral Commission at the start of August, with talks and public consultation to run until November.”
A final recommendation from the council and the commission is due by June 29, 2021.