COUNCILLORS have expressed concerns over the timescale for responses to a report which recommends cutting the number of elected representatives on the council.
The issue was raised at the annual meeting of Powys County Council in response to recommendations from the Boundary Commission which could see the number of county councillors reduced from 73 to 64.
A formal response to the document is required by September 14, when the consultation period ends.
However, a number of councillors have called for the consultation to be extended to allow for community councils to respond as the majority do not meet during August.
Councillor David Jones, of Guilsfield, said: “We should write to the Boundary Commission to seek an extension of time. The majority of community councils do not meet in August. We should ask that it’s extended until the last day of September, that would provide for proper consultation because it will be very difficult to get people together in August.”
Sandra Matthews, principal election officer at Powys County Council, warned the councillors that it is unlikely an extension will be granted to the consultation period.
She said: “Given that the consultation period is set under their guidelines I doubt very much they will extend it.”
Cllr Timothy Van Rees echoed those sentiments but warned “I agree with Sandra.
“It operates on tram lines and it would be very unwise to expect a delay. We have seen it before and this is the way they operate.”
Cllr Van-Rees also said that the shortened consultation period could be a positive thing.
He said: “In the words of Samuel Johnson, ‘if a man knows he is going to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully’.”