Issue - meetings

To agree the draft submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) on Council size.

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)      Agreed the draft proposal to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on Council size, as set out in Appendix 1;

(2)      Agreed to delegate to the Chief Legal Officer in consultation with the Chairman of Strategy and Resources and the Chair of the Electoral Review Task & Finish Group and changes to the draft Council Size Submission as may be necessary; 

(3)      Agreed to refer to Council, the approval of the Council’s submission on Council Size to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on Council size.

To agree the draft submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) on Council size.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Size submission: Members noted the proposed reduction in number of Councillors from 38 to 35. It was noted by the Officer that the proposed number is reflective on what the Council believes it needs to function. Once this document is approved by the Committee, it will proceed to Public Consultation via Commission. Members of the public will then comment on whether they think 35 is an appropriate number of Councillors.

b)           Technology in Casework: Members noted how the report states technology as being one of the most extensive methods of contact between Councillor and constituents. However, it was also noted that in some communities’ personal contact remain an important part of being a councillor.

c)            Thanks to Task and Finish Group: The Committee wished to place on record its thanks to all members of the Task and Finish Group in their on-going work for the Boundary Review. 

Following consideration, it was resolved with 8 Members voting for, 1 Member voting against and the Chairman not voting that the Committee:

(1)      Agreed the draft proposal to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on Council size, as set out in Appendix 1;

(2)      Agreed to delegate to the Chief Legal Officer in consultation with the Chairman of Strategy and Resources and the Chair of the Electoral Review Task & Finish Group and changes to the draft Council Size Submission as may be necessary; 

(3)      Agreed to refer to Council, the approval of the Council’s submission on Council Size to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on Council size.