Number of councillors in the city may be reduced

The number of councillors in Leicester could be cut in a review being carried out by local government officials.

There are 54 council members representing 22 wards across the city but that could change depending on the outcome of an investigation by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

The commission says there are 235,245 eligible voters in the city at an average of 4,356 per councillor.

However, it adds there are some wards where the number is more than 30 per cent lower or higher, suggesting those areas may be either over-represented or under-represented.

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It says Beaumont Leys, Abbey and New Parks wards, which each have three members, and Freeman, with two, are below the average, with fewer residents per councillor, meaning they may be over represented.

Meanwhile, Castle and Spinney Hills, both with three members and Coleman and Latimer, with two, are above the average.

The commission will see if changes are needed to create a more balanced political map for the city.

A public consultation will be carried out before the review concludes but any changes would come into force for the next election in May 2015.

A commission spokesman said: "We will look at whether they system as it is still relevant to a changing city. The number of councillors will be one of the issues examined as well as the ward boundaries and their names."

Opposition Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Porter, who represents Aylestone, said: "Given there is now a mayoral system where one person makes most of the decisions you could argue fewer backbench councillors are needed.

"I think the wards where there are three could go to two and where there are two that could go to just one.

"However If that happens it must not be used to try to hike up allowances."

Labour deputy mayor Rory Palmer, who represents Eyres Monsell, said: "I don't have any particularly strong views on it (the issue of councillor numbers) but there is no argument to say they should be increased at all.

"The man in the street would probably tell you if there were 10 councillors that would be 10 too many.

"There does need to be a serious look at the role of councillor and the work they do.

"We need a well-informed debate."

Labour councillor for Beaumont Leys, Sundip Meghani, said: "I do think 54 is the right number.

"The work load varies incredibly.

"I know some people will think we don't do anything but there are a lot of meetings we attend that are not sexy or glamorous but are very important in the running of services."

He said he did not know it was possible for two councillors to do the work of the three in his ward.

The review process will start with a public consultation in June and July.