Extra councillors proposed
Thursday, 24th August 2000.
MORE councillors for Haverhill are proposed in an electoral review of St Edmundsbury, on which people throughout the borough are invited to comment.
A review of electoral arrangements is being carried out by the Local Government Commission for England to make sure each vote has the same “voice” and councillors represent approximately the same number of voters.
Draft proposals have been drawn up by St Edmundsbury Borough Council which involve increasing the total number of councillors by two to 46.
Bury would still have 17 councillors, Haverhill would increase from eight to 11 and there would be 18 instead of 19 in the rural area.
Suggestions for Haverhill include creating four two-member wards and one three-member ward to reflect population growth.
There is a range of options for ward names, but it is suggested the Chalkstone ward should be retained, but with three members, not two.
New two-member wards for the central area of the town could be formed from parts of the existing Castle, Cangle and St Mary’s and Helions wards.
The remaining southern portion of the St Mary’s and Helions ward would be transferred into the area covered by Clements ward.
People are invited to put forward their own suggestions to the commission and they can also comment on the draft St Edmundsbury proposals.
These can be inspected at borough council offices and copies can be obtained on request by telephoning (01284) 757105.
Comments need to be submitted to the borough council by September 8 with the closing date for submission to the conunission being October 2.
Derek Redhead, leader of the borough council, said their scheme aimed to offer electoral equality and he hoped it was a basis for meaningful consultation.
“We really do want to hear from the public what they like, or dislike, about our proposals so we can consider modifications and strengthen our submission to the commission,” Coun Redhead said.
A review of electoral arrangements is being carried out by the Local Government Commission for England to make sure each vote has the same “voice” and councillors represent approximately the same number of voters.
Draft proposals have been drawn up by St Edmundsbury Borough Council which involve increasing the total number of councillors by two to 46.
Bury would still have 17 councillors, Haverhill would increase from eight to 11 and there would be 18 instead of 19 in the rural area.
Suggestions for Haverhill include creating four two-member wards and one three-member ward to reflect population growth.
There is a range of options for ward names, but it is suggested the Chalkstone ward should be retained, but with three members, not two.
New two-member wards for the central area of the town could be formed from parts of the existing Castle, Cangle and St Mary’s and Helions wards.
The remaining southern portion of the St Mary’s and Helions ward would be transferred into the area covered by Clements ward.
People are invited to put forward their own suggestions to the commission and they can also comment on the draft St Edmundsbury proposals.
These can be inspected at borough council offices and copies can be obtained on request by telephoning (01284) 757105.
Comments need to be submitted to the borough council by September 8 with the closing date for submission to the conunission being October 2.
Derek Redhead, leader of the borough council, said their scheme aimed to offer electoral equality and he hoped it was a basis for meaningful consultation.
“We really do want to hear from the public what they like, or dislike, about our proposals so we can consider modifications and strengthen our submission to the commission,” Coun Redhead said.
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