Photo: Conservative leader Terry Jones
Southport councillors are calling for a cut in the number of representatives on the Local Authority – with as many as 22 councillors facing the axe if approved has been mooted a number of times by both the Southport Conservative and Southport Lib Dem Groups as apart of the Southport Area Committee, has once again risen to the forefront of an ongoing discussion over the impending March budget.
Its thought any move could save Sefton Council around £1million.
Photo: Councillor Sue McGuire
Southport councillor and Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Sue McGuire said “The Liberal Democrats recognise that the redundancies proposed by the Council will have a huge impact on the workforce and services delivered, and we think it is only right that savings are also found from Councillors.
“We proposed a reduction in the number of councillors as a way to make savings to the Council Budget in March 2015 but this request was not supported.
“Most councillors I know work hard supporting their local communities but Councillors should not be immune from the cuts.
“We will be making the case for Sefton Council to follow the lead of Labour controlled Knowsley Council which reduced the number of councillors from 63 to 45 at last years local elections.”
Photo: Terry Jones
Conservative leader Terry Jones added: “Once again Sefton Council has to make budget cuts in a bid to balance the books, its unfortunate but during difficult times such decisions have to be made.
“Our priorities must be to protect those that need it.
“I placed a motion to council to cut cllrs in a bid to save over a million pound. to do this would seek permission from the boundary commision to reduce the number of wards and three cllrs would then have a larger area to cover.
“Unfortunately while some people are quick to critise the reductions they voted against my motion. you cant expect to get the respect of the public if your making drastic cuts and not taking your share of the same.
“We need to start with ourselves a million pounds isnt goint to cover the shortfall but its a good start.
“A reduction in the number of local councillors and a review of ward size would require the approval of the Boundary Commission before it could be undertaken.”
However the only independent councillor on Southport’s Are Committee has his own reservations.
Photo: Councillor David Barton
Councillor David Barton, said that group leaders should be the first to take part in any losses and have their allowances scrapped. As an independent, he would be safe from this suggestion.
He said: “I believe that during times of austerity, if we are to make cutbacks then all levels of the Local Authority should make sacrifices.
“This has to include those at the top if we are to retain the respect and sincerity of the wider public, including those who have or may even be made redundant in light of budgetary measures being proposed.
“If calls are to be made for cutbacks then this should be done properly as seen elsewhere across the Untied Kingdom where Group Leaders’ Allowances have already been eradicated to support their local communities.
“In Southport this allowance can amount to £4,260 a year which could help retain the services of councillors in key areas, who after all are the key point of contact for residents and businesses who have problems or want to access council services.
“I fail to see how continuing to pay such a high amount can be justified.”
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