CL Rowe & Associates were appointed to look into a review of elected member representation.

Ratepayers had their chance to make submissions outlining their views on whether the council should retain the office of Mayor and whether councillors should be elected through the present whole-of-council area system, or whether the council should revert to its previous ward system.

There are currently nine councillors, representing the entire council district.

Two councillors live in Clare, two at Sevenhill and two at Manoora, others live at Watervale, Tarlee and Riverton.

Out of only seven submissions sent in by district ratepayers, five were in favour of a ward system because they believed it would be fairer.

“I am dismayed and disturbed at the status of the majority of current councillors of the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council who quite blatantly disregard any improvement/development for the northern end of the council,” one elector wrote.

Another said that it was clear to any keen observer that elected members’ voting behaviour and comments during council meetings showed they did not behave as “area councillors”, behaving more as ward councillors.

“The split between ‘north’ and ‘south’ is particularly noticeable and reflecting still a sad hangover from the former boundaries between Clare and Gilbert Valleys,” he wrote.

Another representation suggested: “Comment at large and observation generally reveals a clear bias against Clare and favours the southern area of the council.

“It needs to be remembered that Clare and surrounds has the population and rate revenue base that carries the Council – and if Clare does not prosper and grow then nor will the smaller communities of the area.”

The consultants reviewed the submissions and examined relevant issues, recommending the office of mayor be retained, the council not be divided into wards and council numbers be reduced to eight area councillors from the current nine.

Councillors will have a chance to discuss the recommendation and submissions at a workshop in July.

The next step will be for council to agree on a proposal to put to the community which will then be open to further public comment before a decision is given to the State Electoral office in time for implementation at council elections in 2010.