To receive a presentation on the Electoral Review the Local Government Boundary Commission is currently undertaking.
Cllr Clewer & Officer
Minutes:
Under his role of Chairman of the Electoral Review Committee, Cllr Richard Clewer gave an update on the Review of the Local Government Boundary Commission. A written handout was circulated at the meeting and is attached to these minutes for information.
Electoral Reviews determine both the overall number of councillors on a council, and the pattern of divisions within that council. The current review would be the first review since Wiltshire Council was formed in 2009.
It was required because 25 Divisions had a variance from the average in the size of their electorate of more than 10%, and 2 Divisions had a variance from the average of over 30%.
The review’s outcome, if implemented, would apply from the next elections in May 2021. Parliament, not Wiltshire Council, would be responsible for the final decision, following a recommendation from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE).
The councils Electoral Review Committee considered a great deal of evidence and recommended to Full Council that a council size of 99 Councillors be put forward, to enable us to keep the area boards working.
The implications of having fewer councillors could be quite significant for some of our areas.
We were told we would have a decision on 1st May, instead they have come back and said they are unsure and would like to talk further about the Area Board arrangements.
Once we have been informed of what the number of councillors in Wiltshire council from the next election will be, the LGBCE will hold a public consultation.
The consultation will seek proposals from the council, towns and parishes, other community or local groups, and members of the public, on how the determined number of divisions should be drawn up.
Cllr Clewer encouraged everyone to put submissions in and engage in the process.
One key issue for the community area would be the impact to Bishopdown Farm, that may end up as two divisions. Bemerton might also be too large as one division.
All submissions would be put in for consideration by the Secretary of State.
It was hoped that the decision on the final number of Councillors would be known in September.
It would go to parliament to make the final decision.
Cllr Clewer urged the two councils here to be fully engaged with the consultation process.
A parish briefing would take place, possibly on 14th June, however the date was yet to be confirmed.
Once this process was finished, if any parish wished to put forward ideas for a change of boundary, Wiltshire Council would then consider that.
Questions
· Cllr Hoque - What is your prediction for the number of Cllrs? Answer: If you look across the country, the tendency was to cut numbers. They were however willing to consider suggestions.
· Was there a precedent of having one division and two representatives? Answer: Wiltshire Council had the option to support that or not, we did not want that option. We will be remaining as single Member divisions.
· Cllr Dalton - Here we go again. If the number of Councillors are to be cut, there was no way they would support 99. I would expect it to end up more like 70 – 85. I hope Harnham gets reunited again.
· Cllr Rogers – I am pleased Cllr Clewer is leading on this. Last time in 2009, we got the numbers wrong, ended up with one ward where the number was incorrect.