‘Cut in number of councillors on South Kesteven District Council does not go far enough’ - argues councillor
Coun Jeff Thompson wants quality not quantity on South Kesteven District Council.
The number of councillors on South Kesteven District Council could be reduced by three - or even more if one councillor had his way.
With the Local Government Boundary Commission for England due to conduct a review of electoral arrangements for the district, South Kesteven District Council has carried out its own review and recommended the total number of councillors be reduced from 58 to 55.
However, independent councillor Jeff Thompson spoke up to say he would prefer to see a far greater reduction as he believes in quality over quantity.
Coun Thompson said: “I’m still of the opinion that this council could be run by considerably fewer than that. If we had quality members here we could manage with 10 less, I’m totally convinced.”
Coun Mike Taylor quipped that he thought Coun Thompson was on the verge of resigning as he made his speech “but no such luck”.
However Labour councillor Mark Ashberry disagreed with the recommendations, arguing that it would not be wise to reduce the number of councillors in an area such as Grantham when the population is set to rise considerably in the coming years.
Coun Ashberry said: “We should actually be voting for an increase in size to represent this district properly so I shall be voting against this.”
However, fellow Labour councillor Alan Davidson warned against making any decisions based on houses which may or may not be built in the future.
Councillors voted by 40 votes to three with one abstention in favour of the council recommending a reduction in district councillors from 58 to 55.
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