Local authority to consider 25% cut in number of councillors

Telford & Wrekin Council is to look at the feasibility of cutting the number of its councillors from 54 to 40 as part of a drive to save money.

The local authority believes it can save £200,000 a year through the move, which would require extensive consultation with its community.

The Boundary Committee for England would also need to approve the creation of new council wards.

If given the go-ahead, the cuts would come into effect for local elections in 2015. The elections in 2011 would be unaffected.

Andrew Eade, leader of Telford & Wrekin, proposed the idea to the council. He said: “Local government faces a situation where it must make massive savings. This council has planned for cuts in the money it receives from government of around a third.

“Our radical restructuring, halving senior management and making significant other savings in staff and operating budgets will go a long way to achieve this. However, the scale of savings are such that we must do more.”

Eade insisted that “nothing is sacred”, adding that it was only right when staff costs are being reduced, for councillors to deliver their share of savings.