TWELVE parish councillors across the borough could be axed as part of a review carried out by Barnsley Council.
The community governance review examines parish borders, areas and electoral arrangements across the borough to ensure they are still reflective of the communities they serve.
Last month, draft proposals for changes were approved by councillors, but the changes are now subject to public consultation.
The number of electors per members on each of Barnsley’s 17 parish councils have been compared and five were found to be unrepresentative.
The report said: “This suggests that in Cawthorne, Dunford, Little Houghton, Tankersley and Wortley Parish Councils there is a need to address the over-representation of electors and assist in the filling of vacancies on the councils.
“In doing so, there is a need to acknowledge that any contested elections resulting from this will increase the financial burden on parish and town councils.”
The review finds that Wortley Parish Council’s representation should be reduced by almost half, from nine members to five, with the other four councils membership to be cut by two members each.
There are no financial implications for Barnsley Council in cutting the numbers of unpaid parish councillors. If agreed, the changes will come into effect at the next parish council elections next May.
Little Houghton parish councillor Kevin Osborne said he welcomed the review but questioned how the Barnsley Council’s figures had been reached.
He said: “It's vital any decision making civil authority fully reflects the community it serves and in recent years Little Houghton Parish Council has worked hard to make its neighbourhood a better place to live, work and play.
“The criteria for a reduction in the number of councillors does however seem to be rather arbitrary and I look forward to a full explanation of how the figures from BMBC have been calculated.
“Some parish councils in Barnsley have borough councillors on them, so perhaps the first reduction in numbers should be taken there?”
Dunford Parish Council is set to lose two of its seven seats, but currently only has six councillors sitting.
Chairman Allen Pestell said he thought the move could be positive for Dunford, which has one of Britain’s largest parish areas geographically but is sparsely populated.
He said: “I believe the local voice is important and is worth maintaining. We are at the lowest level of local government but it gives people a voice.
“I don’t think the changes will affect us too much. Like everywhere else we do have a bit of an issue recruiting people nowadays. At one time it was a honour to be put forward and even better to be elected. By being just five members it will help the process become more of a battle rather than standing and having a seat.”
Allen said the process for how it will be decided who will lose their seat had not yet been decided and was something yet to be ‘ironed out’ by Barnsley Council.
Barnsley Council deputy leader Coun Jim Andrews said: “All of Barnsley’s parish councils were invited to a meeting on April 27, 2017 to find out more about the proposed review. All parish councils were also asked for comments by the Council’s Electoral Services on what they felt about their arrangements locally.
“We’ve looked at all the information gathered from this consultation process, together with a range of demographic information.
“We’re asking people for their comments on the draft proposals by July 2. People can find these on our website.”
