Bucks CC becomes latest authority to plan reduction in councillor numbers

Buckinghamshire County Council has become the latest local authority to approve a reduction in the number of its councillors.

Under plans agreed at a meeting this week, Buckinghamshire will cut the number of councillors from 57 to 49 from elections in 2013.

The restructuring will also establish a one-member-one-division format, eliminating the ten existing two-member wards.

Deputy Leader Bill Chapple said the changes would allow the local authority to save around £100,000 a year but still maintain a good democratic representation for the electorate.

He added: “This is a tough decision, but we'll be a leaner and more efficient council. This is a time of austerity, when we're looking to make savings across all services, and we as members recognise the need to support this process.”

The county council’s move is part of a growing trend for local authorities to review their complement of councillors. Telford & Wrekin Council is among those to progress plans for a reduction, with plans for a 25% cut that will leave it with 40 members.

Buckinghamshire’s proposals and supporting evidence will be presented to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE). A response is expected in January.

Last week the LGBCE launched a consultation on making council mergers easier, introducing a fast track procedure for electoral reviews, and telling councils what to expect from the Commission if they want to change their numbers.