Agenda item

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council: Boundary Review Submission (Ward Boundaries)

To receive and consider a report on the boundary review proposal regarding ward boundary patterns, as set out in Annex 1 of the report and recommended by the Member Working Group.

Minutes:

Councillor Dr L.R. Hack, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, informed the Council that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) had, earlier in the year, announced proposals to reduce the council size from 51 to 45 as part of its review of Reigate and Banstead’s Council size, electoral arrangements and ward boundaries.

 

In drawing ward boundaries it was noted that the Boundary Commission needed to balance the following statutory criteria:

 

-       Delivering electoral equality

 

-       Reflecting local community interests and identities

 

-       Promoting effective and convenient local government    

 

Councillor Dr L.R. Hack explained that the Council had established a cross party, Member Working Group, which had supported the Council’s activities in relation to the review. It was noted the group had worked with councillors from across the borough to develop a ward boundary proposal, set out in Annex 1 of the Report of the Head of Corporate Policy, Performance and Legal.  

 

The Deputy Leader paid tribute to Councillors and Officers who had supported the discussions and debate and highlighted that although the Working Group had not been unanimous in its support for the proposal, it had managed to balance the three statutory criteria well.      

 

Councillor Dr L.R. Hack moved the Recommendation as set out in the report which was seconded by Councillor J. M. Ellacott.

 

Councillor N.D. Harrison spoke on behalf of the Resident’s Association Group indicating the reasons why their Group could not support the proposal regarding Ward boundary patterns, set out in Annex 1, objecting to the proposal in relation to the impact of the proposed configuration of the communities for the Nork, Tattenhams and Preston areas. Concerns were raised by other Councillors regarding specific aspects of the proposal.

 

It was explained that LGBCE would consider all proposals and decide ward boundaries for the borough.  The LGBCE would publish a proposal in June 2018 for public consultation with final recommendations determined in November 2018. It was noted elections would be held for all Councillors to new ward boundaries in May 2019.  

 

During the discussion a number of issues were considered, including:

 

-       The importance of developing a proposal for ward boundaries that was in accordance with LGBCE guidance and criteria.

 

-       The consultation process which had been open to the public and managed by LGBCE. It was noted that the Council had prepared a communications plan to help raise awareness for residents and other stakeholders, including individual Councillors and Political Groups. 

 

-       The help and support provided to the Working Group by Officers. 

 

-       Concerns from some Members that there had been limited involvement from Councillors, not on the Working Group, in the development of the boundary review proposal.      

 

It was noted that both the Resident’s Association Group and Liberal Democrats had submitted alternative proposals to LGBCE.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.21.3, at the request of Councillors R. Harper, N.D. Harrison, M.J. Selby, B.A. Stead, C.T.H. Whinney and J. White, voting on the Recommendation was recorded as follows:

 

For (30): Mrs R. Absalom, D. Allcard, L. Ascough, R. Ashford, M. Blacker, Mrs N.J. Bramhall, V.W. Broad, M.A, Brunt, G.P. Crome, G. Curry, J. Durrant, J.M. Ellacott, K. Foreman, Dr. L.R. Hack, E. Humphreys, F. Kelly, J. King, G.J. Knight, A.M Lynch, Mrs R. Mill, S. Parnall, J Paul, D.J. Pay, D.T. Powell, Mrs R. Renton, J.M. Stephenson, C. Stevens, Ms B.J. Thomson, Mrs R.S. Turner and S.T. Walsh.          

 

Against (8): R. Harper, N.D. Harrison, S.A. Kulka, M.J. Selby, B.A. Stead, Mrs A. Tarrant, C.T.H. Whinney and J. White.       

 

Abstained (4): J.C.S. Essex, R.S Mantle R.C. Newstead (Mayor),  and Mrs D.A Ross-Tomlin.

 

RESOLVED: That the boundary review proposal regarding Ward boundary patterns, set out in Annex 1 of the Report of the Head of Corporate Policy, Performance and Legal and recommended by the Member Working Group, be approved for submission to the Local Authority Boundary Commission for England.

Supporting documents: