Small Community Councils Given Protection from Forced Mergers

Pembrokeshire County Council have appointed the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales to carry out a review of communities and electoral arrangements. In the first instance Pembrokeshire County Council sets a size policy for Town and Community Councils.

After a series of meetings involving Community, Town and County Councillors a proposal was put before County Councillors at the Pembrokeshire County Council meeting on 12th October that any Community Council of under 480 electors would potentially be merged with the Boundary Commission for Wales making proposals as to individual mergers.

Commenting on the issue, Wiston Ward County Councillor, David Howlett said “I work very closely with the three Community Councils in my ward and greatly value the work that Community Councillors do. Had the initial proposal been adopted it would have potentially seen any Community Council of under 480 electors merged. In Pembrokeshire 24 Community Councils have electorates of 480 or under. Given the rural nature and sparse population of many parts of Pembrokeshire I felt that enlarged merged Community Councils would be more of a land mass than a community.”

“I was pleased to propose an amendment that Community Councils of under 500 electors would be asked if they would wish to voluntarily merge if they feel it is beneficial for them to do so, and if they do not wish to merge they will remain as they currently are.”

“I was aware that a number of smaller Community Councils were very opposed to any potential mergers and I am pleased to have persuaded a majority of Council members that it was a good idea to support Community Councils that want to merge but allow those that wanted to continue as they are to do so.”

“Community Councils are the bedrock of local democracy and I am pleased that this has been recognised with this decision.”