This topic has been raised by Battle Ward Independent Cllr Tony Jones as one way of reducing the running expenses of Reading BC. Well its true that reducing the number of councillors by 15 will drastically reduce the sum paid out in allowances (around £9,000 a year per backbench councillor) and election expenses. What that means for the the remaining 31 councillors is not spelled out. It means more work per councillor, it means a much smaller pool of talent to fill executive and committee posts, it will reduce the effectiveness of the council. Additionally,  it may well put off more members of the public from standing for the council at all.

It may be a populist idea, Tony, and grab a few headlines, but it is not a way to enhance democracy in Reading nor a way to increase participation.