8:46am Friday 12th March 2010
By Richard Harris
PEOPLE can now have their say on whether they think there are too many councillors for the Selby district.
Selby District Council is looking at reducing the number of councillors in the area. There are 41 councillors and council leader Mark Crane has mooted the possibility this could be reduced to 31.
As each councillor currently receives a basic annual allowance of £4,115.38 a 25 per cent reduction would, in theory, save the authority £41,153.80 a year.
The public are now being asked for their opinions and also the possibility of the council moving to a cabinet system which would operate more like the Government.
Coun Crane, said: “This is about making Selby District Council more efficient and more effective, which ultimately means you get a better deal for your money. A leader and cabinet executive structure would enable us to make decisions more quickly and respond more effectively to the things that matter most to you and your family.
“It’s also about giving a bigger role to councillors in their local area, especially through the development of our Community Engagement Forums.
“The two forums we’ve already got up-and-running show that this way of working can bring lasting and effective improvements to the place where you live.
“Another key part of our consultation is around proposals to reduce the overall number of councillors on the authority, which could deliver further savings to Council Tax payers. This would be subject to an independent review, but it’s something we’re keen to look at.”
But Coun Steve Shaw-Wright, leader of the opposition Labour group, said services were currently delivered by private contractors who make the efficiency savings themselves. When it comes to a move to a cabinet – or executive – structure, Coun Shaw-Wright said Coun Crane had not supplied any figures.
He said savings from reducing the number of councillors would be offset by the increase in allowances received by each member of the executive committee compared with normal councillors.
He said: “Wherever there is an executive system, executive members always receive more than ordinary backbench councillors.
“I don’t think people can make a choice without the facts and figures in front of them.”
Residents can have their say at selby.gov.uk where the questionnaire can be viewed. Paper questionnaires are also available at the Council’s Access Selby and Tadcaster offices, alongside the information centre at Sherburn-in-Elmet library.
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