Plans to increase number of Telford councillors rejected - but ward maps to be redrawn

Last month the borough’s Boundary Review Committee agreed to recommend an increase to 56 councillors, to help keep their constituency workloads under control and “future-proof” against expected population growth.

But the Local Government Boundary Commission for England has decided the number should stay at 54.

It may now recommend a new electoral map in the second part of its review.

Professor Colin Mellors, who chairs the LGBCE, said the body “wants our proposals for new electoral arrangements to reflect communities” and “be easy to understand and convenient for local people”.

A 10-week consultation on ward boundaries, which decide which councillor represents which part of the community, will run until August 2.

Prof Mellors said: “We want people in Telford and Wrekin to help us.

“Residents and local organisations can help us understand community ties and identities at this early stage of the process.”

The LGBCE statement said this included factors like which facilities were used by residents from what areas, whether neighbouring communities faced similar problems, or whether new homes or commercial developments had changed areas’ identities.

“It’s easy to get involved,” Prof Mellors said.

“Just tell us what you think and give us some details why you think that.”

When the Boundary Review Committee agreed its 56-member recommendation on April 8, Liberal Democrat member Karen Blundell said: “At the moment I think we all feel 54 is adequate but, bearing in mind that we know Telford and Wrekin is a growing borough and I think there is an increase in our workload, there is a significant reason to consider having more councillors.”

Policy and Governance Associate Director Anthea Lowe said one reason for the increase in councillors’ workload was the fact that social media made them more accessible to constituents, and expected to answer and act on queries more promptly.

A two-councillor rise, boundary review project officer Phil Griffiths told members, would help represent the borough’s “substantial growth areas” and “provide more scope to retain representation and identity of existing communities”.

Richard Overton, the deputy leader of the Labour-run council, said he initially favoured keeping 54 members, but said the need to keep communities together changed his mind, and led him to support an increase.

Conservative opposition leader Nigel Dugmore said he favoured a gradual increase to 55, and the addition of a further one only if needed.

“It’s easier to go up than do 56 then find we need to come down,” he said.

Cllr Dugmore later abstained on the vote, where the committee approved the 56-member recommendation by a majority.

The LGBCE’s dedicated consultation web page can be found at https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/27836.