Agenda item

To consider the recommendations from the Governance Working Group in relation to the Council’s submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission on the future warding pattern of the Borough. (Report to follow)

In July 2016, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) had announced that it was minded to support a reduction in Members from 40 to 34. This reduction had been recommended by the Council in its submission on Council size. 

The Boundary Commission had now launched its public consultation on warding patterns. It was advised that the statutory criteria for the review comprised 3 elements:

1.           Electoral Equality. The number of electors represented by a councillor should be consistent, which would equate to approximately 2,100 electors per councillor. There would, however, be a tolerance of a 10% variance above or below this figure.

2.           Local Communities. Pattern of wards should, as far as possible, reflect the interests and identities of local communities.

3.           Promoting effective and convenient local government.

Electoral equality was the primary consideration, although natural communities could be considered a mitigating factor when considering whether to tolerate any variation above or below the accepted 10% variance.

The Governance Working Group, which had been tasked with developing the Council’s submission on the warding pattern, had met on 31 August, 12 September and 27 September 2016. Groups of ward members had also held informal meetings to discuss proposals in conjoined wards. 

The Council was informed that the Governance Working Group had considered 2 proposals for the Heatherside and Parkside wards and had not reached a conclusion on which option to put forward. In addition, it had not made any specific recommendations in relation to Chobham ward, although it supported the option of retaining 2 councillors if justification could be provided for being outside the tolerated variance.

It was moved by Councillor Moira Gibson and seconded by Councillor Richard Brooks that

(i)          the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader, be authorised to finalise the Council’s submission on the proposed warding pattern of the Borough to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, based on the proposals described in Annex A to the agenda report; and

(ii)         in respect of Heatherside and Parkside Wards, either Option 1 or Option 2 be included in the Council’s submission.

The Council discussed the motion. It was noted by some Members that the proposals contained within the draft submission would result in an increase in wards with a variance above 10% and that, as not all areas met the requirements of electoral equality, the LGBCE would be unlikely to accept the current proposals as its final scheme.

It was proposed by Councillor Rodney Bates and seconded by Councillor Victoria Wheeler that a further item be added to the motion stating that, in recognition that not all wards in the Proposed Warding Pattern achieved the requirements of electoral equality, the LGBCE be asked to look at 35 councillors as well as 34 councillors.The amendment was put to the vote and carried.

Members considered the 2 options for Heatherside and Parkside wards and, having discussed the details of both proposals, it was suggested that both options should be submitted to the LGBCE for consideration. With the consent of the mover and seconder of the substantive motion, it was agreed to amend the motion accordingly. The motion, as amended, was put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED that

(i)          the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader, be authorised to finalise the Council’s submission on the proposed warding pattern of the Borough to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, based on the proposals described in Annex A;

(ii)        in respect of Heatherside and Parkside Wards, both Option 1 and Option 2 be included in the Council’s submission; and

(iii)      in recognition that not all wards in the Proposed Warding Pattern achieve the requirements of electoral equality, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England be asked to look at a council size of 35 councillors as well as 34 councillors.