Coastal: Views are sought on councillor cut

People are being asked for their views on whether the number of councillors representing Suffolk Coastal should be cut.

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England has launched a six-week public consultation, the first part of an electoral review that will also consider changes to the number, names and boundaries of the council’s wards.

The commission has considered evidence submitted by the council and its political groups and is now consulting residents on a proposal that would see the authority represented by 43 councillors in future, twelve fewer than current arrangements.

Professor Colin Mellors, deputy chairman of the commission, said: “This is your chance to shape your council for the future.

“We want to know if you think 43 is the right number of councillors to be able to take decisions effectively and whether it’s the right number to represent the interests of all the district’s communities.

“If you don’t agree that Suffolk Coastal should be represented by 43 councillors, we want you to tell us your alternative and why you think there should be more, or fewer, members of the council in the future.

“Once we have taken a view on the number of councillors, we will re-draw ward boundaries to accommodate those elected members and we will ask local people to have their say during that process as well.”

The move could save the council close to £100,000 a year. Any changes would have to be approved by Parliament and would be in place for the next council elections in May 2015.

? Further information about the review is available at www.lgbce.org.uk.