Labour claims north Norfolk council review will “cement” Conservatives in power
Map showing proposed North Norfolk District Council wards. Picture: LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION - Credit: Archant
Changes to council ward boundaries could cement the Conservatives' grip on power in north Norfolk according to the Labour Party.
North Norfolk Labour Party chairman Stephen Burke . Picture: MARK BULLIMORE - Credit: Archant
The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England has recommended that North Norfolk District Council should have 40 councillors in the future - eight fewer than currently.
The proposals mean councillors would represent seven two-member wards and 26 single-member wards across the district.
A public consultation closed on Monday, with the plans set to be finalised in April.
Labour criticised the review for being focused on 'councillors' poor attendance' records rather than improving representation.
The party's north Norfolk branch chairman Stephen Burke said: 'We are commending the commission thinks again about these proposals. The plans seem more concerned with cementing the Conservative Party into permanent administration at North Norfolk District Council than improving representation.
'The rationale when the proposals were first announced was to reduce councillors in a bid to improve attendance. Even with eight fewer councillors poor attendance could still be a problem.'
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He added: 'With the mix of single and double member wards one voter can have two votes and two representatives representing 5pc of the council, whereas in a neighbouring ward their single vote will only bring half of the representation on the council.'
Mr Burke was also critical of the review for placing the connection between district wards and county council divisions at risk.
