Will 2 become 1? Brackley and Winsloe South in early amalgamation talks

The communities of Brackley and Winsloe South are looking into possible amalgamation — but first, community leaders need to talk to their residents. 

The plan is still in the preliminary stages, but if Winsloe South and Brackley were to join together, they would have just under 600 residents. 

"We haven't decided to amalgamate yet ... we're just looking at our options right now," said Don Jardine, a councillor in the community of Winsloe South. 

With the new Municipal Government Act set to come into effect soon, Jardine said it would be a benefit to join with Brackley.

"They have more developments than we do," he said.

Brackley already has some of the requirements of the new act finished, like an official plan and some bylaws.

"Those would be benefits ... because to develop all of the requirements is going to be quite extensive. They're going to have to do the bylaws that are required under the new act so if we become a part of them, then we would just be included in that."

'We are a rural community'

Jardine says they have been speaking to many communities, but decided to go with Brackley.

One thing they are trying to avoid is being swallowed up by a bigger centre. 

"We are a rural community," he said.

"We're 200 people and we have a lot of farmers, and we want to maintain our rural nature. So, becoming part of Charlottetown would make us more of an urban-type community.

"Brackley is more of a rural-type community like we are."

Public consultations

There is a public meeting for residents of both communities next Wednesday, Dec. 6 in Brackley.

The councils want to hear what the public thinks first before deciding what to do next.

Then, they will most likely vote on whether or not to join up and start the next step in the process — seeking approval from the province. 

Minister support

Land, Communities and Environment Minister Robert Mitchell said Winsloe South and Brackley wouldn't need to meet the guidelines set out for amalgamation because they are existing municipalities.

He said the population target of 4,000 only comes in to play when creating a new community involving unincorporated areas.  

Mitchell said if communities want to come together to better meet the standards set out in the new Municipal Government Act, including having a municipal office that's staffed at least 20 hours a week, he is all for it.

"To be able to meet the minimum standards of the new MGA and they feel they would be able to do that better and it would be more efficient for their two communities to do that together, that would certainly be something that I would support," he said.

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