Regional council gave the go ahead Wednesday to establish the Regional Representation Review Sub-Committee that will examine the appropriateness of the current number of council members.

The four mayors from Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills and Milton, plus Regional Chair Gary Carr will examine whether more councillors are needed and report back to the administration and finance committee by March 2008.

Oakville Councillor Keith Bird said that mayors and the regional chair were chosen to study the issue so as to eliminate any self-interest affecting the recommendations.

The suggestion to set up a sub-committee on the topic barely made its way to council Wednesday as it was narrowly approved at last week's administration and finance committee meeting.

Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville said at the committee meeting that he was opposed to the concept.

"I don't think there are people out there saying, 'We need more politicians,'" he said. "I think we have a model that's working right now."

But Burlington Councillor Rick Craven disagreed.

"From my point of view in the City of Burlington, members of council are generally feeling overwhelmed. The paper work alone is truly amazing," he said. "It's time to study this question and we have the time to do it right. Let's get on with it."

While Milton Mayor Gord Krantz said he has no problem taking a look at the current representation, he concurred with Somerville that there's not a big demand in the community for more politicians.

Carr said there are more fundamental issues council needs to deal with and said any decision to increase representation would have to get approval from the provincial government.