A PETITION started by a Flintshire woman, objecting plans to appoint 36 new Senedd members, has reached over 10,000 signatures.

Nanette Davies, from Mold, launched the petition on October 7, calling for a referendum to be held. 

Plans are in place to increase the number of MS's from 60 to 96 at the next election in 2026. It has been estimated by Welsh Conservatives that the move could cost almost £18m year. 

With the current pressures faced by local authorities to make budgets, forcing services to close or reduce in capacity, Nanette felt enough was enough. 

Nanette Davies and her husband, Tony. Nanette Davies and her husband, Tony. (Image: UGC) The petition now has 10,374 (correct at time of writing) signatures, and has met the threshold for the issue to be potentially put forward for debate. 

Nanette, who works as a care worker says that the money should be spent elsewhere. 

She said:" We hear about Recycling Centres closed on various days, three week bin collections, our councils strap cashed, whilst in the Senedd they are looking to appoint 36 more Senedd members when the building was built for 80 members.

"Wales is a small country of 3.2 million, we have 70 councillors for Flintshire County Council and probably the same for all the others. Do we really need 96 Senedd Members to voice our opinions?

"We are asking that the people of Wales have a referendum to vote on whether this money should be spent. Thirty-three million pounds has been wasted on 20mph - nearly half a million people signed that petition. 

"The aim is to see if the Welsh Government is listening to the people of Wales, we live in a democracy and we should make the decision on the extra 36.

"The petition has achieved my first aim to get 10,000 votes, so the Petitions Committee can consider this for debate in the Chamber, however this again, is the Welsh Government marking their own homework."

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A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “After being backed by a majority in the Senedd, the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act gained Royal Assent in June to create a modern, more effective Welsh Parliament to serve and represent people.

“The Wales Act 2017 provided power to the Senedd to change its size, without being subject to a referendum. Similarly, a referendum was not required in the reduction of Wales MPs from 40 to 32, as a result of boundary reform changes being introduced for Westminster elections.

“Wales is currently the most under-represented country in the UK but under the new law, the Senedd will gain increased capacity to scrutinise policies, laws, spending plans, and hold the Welsh Government to account.”