COMMUNITIES in Central Fife are set to oppose plans which could see councillors axed and the whole Lochs ward disappearing.

The Local Boundary Commission for Scotland has launched a 12-week public consultation on proposals to change the Kingdom’s electoral areas, which will make changes to which villages fall into which council wards. If given the green light, there will be one less councillor in the area and villages in the Lochs ward will be split up, with Loch Fitty and Kingseat moved to Dunfermline North, Kelty moved to Cowdenbeath and Lochore and Ballingry moved to Lochgelly and Cardenden.

Councillor Alex Campbell (above) raised concerns that the relationships he has built with people in Kelty could be lost if the plans go ahead.

“I’m obviously very disappointed and I’d hope to keep it as it is,” he said. “I know Kelty Community Council are writing to Fife Council regarding the situation. We want it to stay as it is considering the population in the Lochs ward and the levels of deprivation. My view is that it should stay – I have a big relationship with several people here as well as schools and organisations and that could all be lost.

“It seems to be Central Fife that has been targeted and there is a need to oppose the situation.” Similarly, Benarty Community Council chair, Stephen Nardone, thinks the move would have a negative impact on the amount of attention the communities receive.

“My view is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said. “What are they playing at? The extra workload for the councillors will be ridiculous with the area that they have to cover. I really am concerned about the impact it will have on the area. The councillors won’t have the same amount of time to dedicate to our area. What will happen if they make it part of a larger area, I don’t know.

“I can’t speak for the rest of the community council but I feel they should just leave things as they are. If it’s going to be a detriment to residents then they need to reconsider it. I’d advocate people to give their thoughts and make their voices heard.” Lochs councillor Willie Clarke (left) added, “I don’t think there’s been enough discussions at local level, it’s all been coming from up high. They don’t even know what things are like and they’re taking the decisions. That’s not the way to review them.

“Ballingry moving into the Lochgelly and Cardenden ward isn’t as big a problem but for other villages it is. There hasn’t been enough discussion with the villages or organisations.

“I would welcome any public consultation to give people an idea of what’s happening. We just need to wait and see and make sure people know about it.” The current wards of Cowdenbeath, Lochs and Lochgelly and Cardenden each have three councillors. Under the new plans, both Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly and Cardenden would gain one new councillor each – leaving one position to be axed.

Fife Council is of the view that there is no requirement to reduce the number of councillors and questioned the methodology that led to the reduction. It said it was “disappointed” to see the reduction in the number of councillors as part of the proposals for ward boundaries.

The Local Boundary Commission for Scotland began its Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements in February 2014 and consulted with councils earlier this year on ward boundaries. Now, the review is at the stage for public consultation, which began on 30th July and will last for 12 weeks.

Members on the public can have their say on the proposals through the consultation portal on the Local Boundary Commission for Scotland’s website, by email or by post.