TIDBURY GREEN Parish Council could expand to cope with an influx of new residents in the village.
The population of Tidbury Green is set to double due to two housing developments, increasing the workload of parish councillors.
Following a consultation with residents, Tidbury Green Parish Council propose to increase the number of councillors from five to seven.
The Local Government Act sets the minimum number for a parish council at five members, requiring a quorum of at least three councillors.
Solihull Council ran a consultation on increasing Tidbury Green councillors which closed on November 7. Responding, 18 residents supported the larger council, with six opposing the plans.
In its submission to the Solihull councillors, the parish council said: “Existing councillors all work full-time and it is becoming increasingly difficult to arrange Parish Council meetings, whereby a sufficient number of councillors will be available to attend, in order to achieve a quorum.
“Over the last several months no meeting has taken place on the original date that it was scheduled, as we have been unable to reach the required level of available Councillors.
“Consequently meetings have had to be delayed and alternative arrangements have had to be made. This takes time and puts further pressures on the existing resource and makes it difficult for the Parish Council to plan and operate efficiently.”
One respondent said: “I am very happy for the Parish Council to be increased to seven from the original five, I believe it is not before time. The current councillors have far too much to do with there only being five of them.”
Writing in opposition, a parish councillor stated: “The last thing Tidbury Green Parish Council needs at the moment is another election. The last election held on September 12 had an extremely poor turnout.
“Whatever decision is made in my view is best left to the next term in four years time. This will give everybody time to see whether we actually need another councillor, also with the completion of the two new developments this will give people time to come forward.”
Another resident said: “I believe the number of councillors in the area is and will be adequate for the next five years, and that an increase should not be considered until the impact of housing developments have settled down.
“I am most concerned at the potential for increasing costs on residents and a decline in the value for money we currently enjoy. The suggestion that the number of councillors should increase to allow for absentees is worrying as it questions the level of commitment by councillors to meetings that are scheduled well in advance.”
Solihull Council’s governance committee is set to commission a further report to support the review at a meeting on November 21.
