In order to make the council more effective East Dorset councillors have agreed to review the number of councillors which are needed. A cross-party Task and Finish Group, supported by officers, has produced an analysis of the number of councillors that would be appropriate to the running of an effective Council post 2015. The Local Government Boundary Commission has engaged with the review process and, in accordance with their timetable, a report has been approved at this week’s Council meeting that proposes reducing the number of councillors from 36 to 29.
Whilst the decision finally rests with the Commission, the reduction to 29 councillors has taken into account the need to have enough councillors serving on the Council to meet its Committee structures, the community identity for warding (although no decisions are yet required on actual warding numbers) and the ability of the councillors to serve a larger electorate population. Currently a councillor may expect to serve approximately 2000 electors on average. Under the new proposal this would rise to 2585 electors, a figure comparable to the current national average.
The Commission will now consider the Council’s submission and look to hold a further consultation exercise with key stakeholders (eg Parish and Town Councils) with their feedback being made known to the Council later in the year. The Task and Finish Group will then take the next steps following that feedback.
Whilst the decision finally rests with the Commission, the reduction to 29 councillors has taken into account the need to have enough councillors serving on the Council to meet its Committee structures, the community identity for warding (although no decisions are yet required on actual warding numbers) and the ability of the councillors to serve a larger electorate population. Currently a councillor may expect to serve approximately 2000 electors on average. Under the new proposal this would rise to 2585 electors, a figure comparable to the current national average.
The Commission will now consider the Council’s submission and look to hold a further consultation exercise with key stakeholders (eg Parish and Town Councils) with their feedback being made known to the Council later in the year. The Task and Finish Group will then take the next steps following that feedback.
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