Knowsley Council could be facing significant councillor reductions to produce more financial savings for the area.
Up to eighteen Knowsley councillors could be in danger of losing their jobs as well as a reduction in wards in the borough.
The news comes after the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) published the recommendations for the Knowsley area.
The Leader of Knowsley Council, councillor Ron Round, told JMU Journalism: “We submitted a proposal to redraw the ward boundaries of Knowsley, which would reduce the number of wards in the Borough from 21 to 15 in 2016. This would also reduce the number of councillors in Knowsley from 63 to 45.
Despite the reduced number of councillors in Knowsley, the LGBCE said that there would be many benefits to the cuts to the area that consists of Prescot, Huyton, Whiston, Halewood, Cronton and Stockbridge Village.
Round added: “We believe this proposal is right for Knowsley, not only because it will generate financial savings for the Council, but also because it will ensure that each councillor in the Borough represents approximately the same number of voters. This will better reflect the needs of our communities and promote effective local government.”
Despite the drop in councillors, the LGBCE said that Knowsley would benefit from this. It’s asking the public to voice their opinion on the reduction up until the 6th April and will publish the final decision by the end of June.