A county councillor has expressed his ‘deep disappointment’ over the outcome of a vote which will see residents asked if they want to see changes to the council voting system.

At a Powys County Council meeting on Thursday, December 7, councillors debated whether a possible move to the Single Transferable Vote (STV) proportional voting system should go out to a public consultation.

The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 allows local authorities in Wales to choose STV as the type of electoral system to be used after 2027, instead of the current First Past the Post System.

Councillors went to a vote with 34 councillors voting in favour of the consultation, 26 against and two abstained.

During the meeting, Conservative group leader, Cllr Aled Davies claimed the consultation would cost “£150,000” and said residents would rather see the money used to “collect bins and mend potholes.”

Earlier in the debate, council leader, Liberal Democrat Cllr James Gibson-Watt made a commitment that this consultation cost “would not exceed” £10,000.

Cllr Iain McIntosh (Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew) voted against the consultation.

Cllr McIntosh told the Brecon & Radnor Express that funds used for the consultation would be better put towards addressing essential council services and shortcomings.

“I want to express my deep disappointment with the recent decision by Powys County Councillors to allocate significant funds towards consulting the public on a single transferable vote system,” he said.

“This move, favouring certain political parties like the Liberal Democrats, comes at the expense of addressing critical service issues that Powys residents expect in exchange for their hard-earned Council Tax. It is disheartening to witness the Liberal Democrat and Labour-led Council abandoning its commitment to rural wards such as Yscir, Honddu Isaf, and Llanddew, instead diverting resources towards political reforms while essential services suffer.”

Cllr McIntosh said that residents in these areas have experienced unrepaired potholes, missed bin collections, and “a broken school transport service”.

He said that parents have raised their concerns with Cllr Jackie Charlton, the Cabinet member responsible for school transport, and claims many are “being ignored - leaving them frustrated and dissatisfied”.

“It is imperative that elected officials, such as Cllr Jackie Charlton, prioritise addressing the needs and concerns of residents over political manoeuvring,” said Cllr McIntosh.

“The focus on political reforms at the expense of basic services raises questions about the council's commitment to its constituents. Instead of prioritising residents' needs, it appears that the Liberal Democrats and Labour are more concerned with securing electoral gains.”

Cllr McIntosh went on to encourage members of the public to voice their opinions during the upcoming consultation process.

“It is a crucial opportunity for Powys residents to make their concerns heard and demand that the council refocuses its priorities on delivering essential services that directly impact their daily lives,” he said.

Cllr Charlton was approached for comment.

The leader of Powys County Council has said the move to go to a consultation is ‘a step in the right direction’ for the county.

“I am very pleased to announce that Powys County Council has taken a step in the right direction by voting to become the first council in Wales to go out to consultation on moving to an STV model,” said Cllr James Gibson-Watt.

“This is a historic decision and one that will be earmarked as a key chapter in the story of electoral reform here in Wales.

“We have taken a step in the right direction in ensuring that the people of Powys are given a real say in how they are governed.”