Political reporter
LGAA major shake-up of local councils in England could spell the end of areas where independents – with no allegiance to major political parties – are in charge, councillors fear.
There has been a steady increase in the number of independent councillors over the past decade, with more than 2,200 across England and Wales.
At the moment, groups of independents are involved in running 63 councils, either on their own or in partnership with other parties.
The vast majority – 47 – are smaller district or borough councils, many of which are set to be scrapped or merged under government plans.
Big city councils and regional mayors are dominated by Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
Ministers argue combining smaller councils would make local government simpler and save money by making the delivery of services more efficient.
But Marianne Overton, leader of the Local Government Association’s Independent Group, said if councillors represented bigger areas it would weaken the link with communities and make it harder for independents to be elected.
Independents argue they can better reflect local views as they do not have to follow the positions of a national party.
However, proposals to reorganise local government – which amount to the biggest shake-up since the 1970s – could threaten the representation of independents, opponents say.
Mrs Overton told the BBC: “When you have fewer councillors, it means they have bigger areas to cover and it starts to become an impossible task to be a local
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