Council review sparks debate

6:11pm Tuesday 13th November 2007

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The electoral review which has led to strong feelings in areas where community council mergers, transfers, councillor reductions and boundary changes are proposed, led to a long debate at Monday's cabinet.

Leader John Davies said some councillors were asking why change when they were not paid and cost nothing. But the cost of elections was borne by the County Council, and there was no democracy where there were no elections.

Councillor Peter Stock said the only democratic way forward was for every town and community council to have elections. The objective of the review was to achieve parity of representation across Pembrokeshire. Many councils were unhappy with the proposals and had suggested alternatives, and more time was needed in some instances.

Among the contentious issues are the mergers of Ambleston and Spittal, Castlemartin and Angle, Clunderwen and Llandissilio West, Dale and Marloes with St Brides, St Ishmaels and Herbrandston, Llanstadwell and Neyland, Llawhaden and Slebech, and several transfer and councillor reduction proposals.

The Cabinet recommended setting the minimum rural community councillor allocation at six; adopting the amended report regarding councillor numbers and warding arrangements and holding back final proposals requiring submission to the Boundary Commission for Wales until the review is completed.