Commenting on proposals submitted by Green Party Councillor John Coyne on reducing the number of Councillors from 90 to 60, Liverpool City Council Leader Warren Bradley said:

“I understand the need to tighten our belts over the next few years.  However, I fundamentally disagree with the suggestion of cutting down the number of Councillors.  We have already reduced the number of Councillors in recent years by 10%.

“It is easy to understate the need for democracy and put a price on it, when you live in a society that is free; we should look to countries who don’t live in a tolerant democratic society and ask them should we undermine the position of our elected members and cost cut for political gimmicks or should we cherish it and build upon it.

“As many know I am also a fire fighter; similarly, many Liverpool Councillors also have a job as well.  This can really be a real strength and can enable many different views and experience in the Council Chamber.  If we reduce the number of Councillors it will no doubt increase work load significantly, making it harder to sustain having a job too.

“People would not as easily be able to get in touch with their local Councillors for help if there were fewer of them.  Following on from this, local Councillors, who are extremely busy already, would struggle to meet the needs of their electorate due to the sheer volume of work.