The deadline to oppose changes to the boundary of the Kinross-shire council ward has closed despite a last minute plea for more time to gauge public opinion.
The Boundary Commission proposals would remove a large chunk of the ward and reduce the number of councillors from four to three, changes objectors claim would sweep away hundreds of years of history.
Willie Rennie MSP said he had been contacted by a number of constituents concerned about the plans and he wrote to the Boundary Commission asking them to reconsider the changes.
“They are also concerned that the length of time that has been given to members of the public for the consultation is not long enough as there is a lack of awareness of these proposals within Kinross-shire,” wrote Mr Rennie.
He said not only did the proposal split the Milnathort Community Council ward in half, the move “hugely underestimated” the number of voters there will be in Kinross-shire in five years’ time due to population growth.
“I would be very grateful if you could urgently reconsider your proposals for the Kinross-shire ward and please consider granting an extension to the consultation period due to the lack of awareness within the citizens of Kinross-shire,” said Mr Rennie.
“This proposal breaks up historical boundaries that have been in place for more than 700 years and it is important that the democratic process is robust and people are being given enough time to consider and respond to these proposals.”
Ronnie Hinds, the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland chairman, told Mr Rennie they were unable to grant an extension to the public consultation.
“The commission places great importance on receiving views from the public and has tried to encourage a full response during the 12-week consultation period,” wrote Mr Hinds.
“You may wish to know that we have received well over 100 responses concerning Perth and Kinross Council area since the public consultation commenced.”
Independent councillor Dave Cuthbert has been an opponent of the changes and has submitted an in-depth analysis of the changes which he believes show they are flawed.
“It is a distinctly different area when compared to the rest of Perth and Kinross, as it is in essence a commuter area, with residents travelling to all parts of the central belt to work, rather than feeding into Perth as much of the rest of the authority area does,” he points out.
“It has the highest rate of new build within Perth and Kinross, which is one of the fastest growing local authorities in Scotland. It is, in effect, a commuter area somewhat akin to a Home County. This is distinctly at odds with the rest of Perth and Kinross.”