No matter how you draw the boundary around Rhuthun/Ruthin, neither the town nor any of the local community councils will face an election this May.
There are 19 community councils in and around Rhuthun with a total of 169 available seats. The number of candidates standing was 116.
Two community councils have exactly the required number. The remainder, including Rhuthun town council, each has a deficit and these councils will need to co-opt members. Either way, this isn't democratic and it leaves the local electorate without a choice among the candidature.
Why the lack of interest?
Some say it's because older councillors have done their stint. Others would prefer to see younger councillors in their place. A group feel that the price of losing an election is too great to be able to put their name forward. This to the point where yet others have taken a tactical position not to come forward on the basis that they know they will stand a better chance of being co-opted.
But you also have to question the role social media has played in decision making. Whereas mainstream media is careful in its approach to how it levels criticism at our most local politicians, if it criticises at all Facebook itself is less forgiving. The rumpus and grand-standing at the April Town Council, which resulted in the mayor being unable to state categorically that her year was uncontroversial, is a case in point. That scene was about whether or to what extent the town should recognise the queen's platinum jubilee. There ensued something of a bitterness between councillors not seen all year. This spilled over into social media, where people simply read what they wanted to read. Little wonder fewer people want to be community councillors. The current town council (2017-2022) has seen difficult times via Facebook and this at times has become rather personal, too.
While it's fair to criticise Facebook, the root problem is a lack of basic respect and a new edginess to the way we conduct our business. Facebook comments are always made by someone. Elements within our area have at best become ill informed and at worst ill-mannered and even intolerant. There are times when I wonder whether I am actually a part of this town or whether there is some sort of parallel reality. I often feel ashamed at the reputation through Facebook Rhuthun has garnered. Long gone are the thought out and reasoned letters to the Free Press in favour of often off-the-cuff banalities or worse.
Roll back five years and the election position was only slightly better in Rhuthun (15 candidates for 15 seats, rather than 11 for 15 as now). But the villages especially to the east were keenly fought. Not any more.
Meanwhile, local democracy is alive and strong north of the A55. The town councils of Rhuddlan and the sundry wards of Rhyl & Prestatyn town councils are all healthily contested.