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'Right number of councillors'
COUNCILLORS claim drastic changes as part of a major electoral review would have a "detrimental" impact on Hartlepool.
They voted in favour of recommending that Hartlepool Borough Council retains its current size of 47 elected members at a meeting of the full council.
But they also acknowledged that "consideration may be given" further down the line to 16 three-member wards, which would create an extra councillor position.
It comes after the Local Government Boundary Commission for England announced plans to carry out an electoral review to look at the number of councillors plus the size and names of wards.
The commission aims to ensure that each councillor represents roughly the same amount of electors.
Hartlepool council currently has 47 councillors serving 17 wards plus Mayor Stuart Drummond, who has previously called for the number of councillors to be reduced.
Mayor Drummond, who was away on holiday, had argued that some of the council's committees don't need as many members sitting on them and there does not need to be as many committees.
The electoral review is expected to take around a year and, regardless of the outcome, an all-out election will be held in 2012.
Independent councillor Martyn Aiken, vice-chairman of the council, presented the council's official response to the electoral review.
He said: "This submission says to the Boundary Commission that this council functions very well under the current size and we don't see any need for major changes.
"We feel that any drastic changes to the size would be detrimental to the council as a whole and the people of Hartlepool who we have been elected to represent."
Coun Aiken called for a unanimous vote but independent councillor Hilary Thompson, who represents the Elwick ward voted against, while independent Seaton ward councillor Michael Turner abstained.
During the debate, Coun Thompson said: "Am I to believe that the thinking behind 16 three-member wards is that Elwick and Greatham would be combined?"
No further details were given at the meeting as to what exactly that would mean for Hartlepool.
A council report added: "It is acknowledged that a review of the composition of ward areas and their boundaries could be beneficial, but through further detailed consideration as the Commission develops and engages through the process of this further electoral review."
Stage one of the review will look at the size of the council and the second stage will look at ward boundaries. The first public consultation runs from September 28 until December 21.
Draft recommendations are expected to be published for consultation next spring and the final recommendations will be published next summer.
Residents can write to the Boundary Commission at: Review Officer (Hartlepool), The Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street, London, EC1M 5LG.
People can also email reviews@lgbce.org.uk or use the online form at: www.lgbce.org.uk.
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Weather for Hartlepool
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
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