To receive a presentation on the Electoral Review the Local Government Boundary Commission is currently undertaking.
Officer: Maggie Mulhall, AEA Consultant, Electoral Services
Minutes:
Maggie Mulhall, AEA Consultant to the Council, 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.
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.
The figures for each area was detailed in the slides which are attached to these minutes.
There will also be a meeting for parish councils o 15 June 2018 in Trowbridge.
Questions and comments included:
· Even if we were to keep the same number of councillors, looking at the figures of the over populated areas, there would be some change. It will be a great shame if after the 8 years of working with this community area, there were changes and we are split up. Answer: There will be some movement. If you think that your Board is brilliant then please put your comments to committee@wiltshire.gov.uk The only way that the boundary commission will know is if you have told them.
· Why are they so fixated on voter numbers rather than on the numbers of PC meetings you have to attend. Answer: It is one of the rules they have.
· It depends on equitable numbers rather than our Cllr workload. Not equal for the rural to urban areas.
· What is the closing date? Answer: We do not have a start date yet as they did not confirm the cllr numbers when we expected it. The Boundary Commission website tells you what the process is.
· Could the Board Cllrs get together to propose some ideas, which could then be circulated to the Parishes for consideration and feedback? Answer: The Cllrs will consider this suggestion at their next meeting.
Action: Cllrs to discuss putting together some suggested proposals at next cllr meeting.