PROPOSALS have formally been outlined to introduce three new councillor roles in Wrexham.

The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales has been holding a review which could see the local government map of the area redrawn.

Draft plans have now been published which show the number of councillors on the local authority could increase from 52 to 55.

Based on the current basic salary for community leaders, it is likely to add more than £40,000 per year onto the wage bill for Wrexham Council.

The commission said the changes, which would see some wards either merged or have their boundaries altered, were designed to deliver ‘democratic fairness’ for residents.

In a report, it said: “The commission proposes a change to the arrangement of electoral wards that will achieve a significant improvement in the level of electoral parity across the county borough of Wrexham.

“The commission proposes a council of 55 members, an increase from the current size of 52.

“This results in a proposed county average of 1,834 electors per member.

“The number of elected members for Wrexham has been determined by the commission’s council size policy and methodology.

“The commission believes that in the interests of effective and convenient local government a council of 55 members would be appropriate to represent the Wrexham.”

The proposals could see some existing areas, including Brymbo and Rhosnesni, represented by two councillors in future rather than one.

Among the boundary changes, it has been suggested the community of Burton should be removed from the Rossett ward and placed within Llay.

The plans have attracted opposition from Rossett’s Conservative councillor Hugh Jones, who said it would “tear the heart” out out of the area.

But the commission has insisted that the changes are needed to improve representation.

It said: “The existing electoral ward of Rossett has a highly inappropriate level of variance and alternative arrangements are necessary in this area.

“It is the view of the commission that these arrangements best address the existing levels of electoral variance.

“The commission considers that the proposed electoral wards avoid the only viable alternative to create a three-member electoral ward.”

A consultation will be carried out on the draft proposals starting on January 14 and lasting until April 6.

The commission said it would consider all representations before making final recommendations to the Welsh Government.

The plans can be found on the commission’s website at https://ldbc.gov.wales/ and any responses should be sent to either consultations@boundaries.wales or Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, Hastings House, Cardiff, CF24 0BL.