05/01/2007 00:00
TW
0
Staff Reporter

PALMA
THE demographic ”boom” which Majorca has experienced in the last few years has meant that, after May's elections, eight councils will have an increase in the number of councillors which they have now.

According to figures published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) with regard to the population growth on Majorca in 2006, and according to the law, a total of 20 new councillors must be appointed to represent the growing population in the towns of Andratx (10'410 inhabitants), Buger (1'063 residents), Capdepera (11'074), Lloseta (5'375), Llubi (2'042), Maria de la Salut (2'141), Santa Margalida (10'204), and Santa Maria (5'323 inhabitants).

According to the law, each council has a total number of councillors in proportion to the number of residents it has on its municipal register.
The numbers are as follows: up to 250 residents, 5 councillors; from 251 to 1'000 residents, 7 councillors; from 1'001 to 2'000 residents, 9 councillors; from 2'001 to 5'000 residents, 11 councillors; from 5'001 to 10'000, 13 councillors; from 10'001 to 20'000, 17 councillors; and finally, if the town has from 20'001 to 50'000 residents it must have 21 councillors.

So, having exceeded the 1'000 resident mark, Buger council goes from 7 to 9 councillors.
Llubi and Maria de la Salut, both of which have more than 2'001 residents, will increase their council size from 9 to 11 after the coming elections.
Santa Maria and Lloseta, whose municipal registers have now exceeded 5'000 residents, will each gain another two councillors, going from 11 to 13.
Finally, Capdepera, Andratx, and Santa Margalida, with more than 10'000 residents, will also see their councils grow, this time to 17 councillors.
There are other Majorcan towns which are very close to having an increased number of councillors because of the increase in their population.
However, the increase in their council numbers will not take effect until the 2011 elections. The affected towns are Costitx, Calvia, Porreres, Valldemossa and Campos.