A SHAKE-up of Anglesey council wards and elections is an attack on democracy and could signal a merger with Gwynedd Council, according councillors.
Councillor Aled Morris Jones said at an extraordinary meeting of Anglesey Council said that the Boundary Commission for Wales’ proposal to install 11 multi member wards and reduce the number of councillors from 40 to 30 was “political.”
“I think we have all come into politics to build a new society, a new Jerusalem if you like.
“However the present Welsh Government administration is intent on building a new Rome,” said Cllr Morris Jones.
“When the Romans invaded Anglesey in 60AD, they were led a general called Aggricola. They’re commanded by a sergeant now.”
Cllr Morris Jones also disagreed with Local Government Minister Carl Sergeant’s proposal to postpone the May 2012 council elections, and added that the number of councillors should be cut to between 34 and 36.
The proposals, councillors argued, would lead to over-large wards, create a greater workload for members, would lack local accountability and force a merge of differing rural and urban communities.
Councillors agreed unanimously to Keith Evans proposals for further action, dubbed the “magnificent seven,” which will also be sent to Mr Sergeant urging the minister to allow the May 2012 elections on the basis of the existing 40 wards and 40 members.
The proposals would also see the authority working with the Boundary Commission to ensure one member for every 1,400 electors in each ward.
The council would seek legal advice to challenge the proposals and Mr Sergeant’s involvement.
The meeting agreed that they were not given enough time to discuss the proposals Boundary Commission’s January 3 deadline for input.
Councillors Hefin Thomas and John Alwyn Roberts believed that the changes would lead to a merger with Gwynedd.
Cllr Thomas said: “If we accept this and go to 30 wards, the next move would be that the council can’t run effectively.”
Cllr Evans estimated larger wards would mean that it would cost independent candidates around £2,000 to canvass for elections.
Cllr John Victor Owen added: “The boundary proposals make it perfectly clear that independents would not be able to stand and make their voices clear against the party machines.”
The Boundary Commission is expected to report to Mr Sergeant in March.