Agenda item

To consider the responses to the Additional Draft Recommendations consultation between 7 June 2022 – 28 June 2022.

Also to consider what action, if any, to take in respect of the Malmesbury/St Paul Malmesbury area recommendations previously considered at the meeting on 31 May 2022.

(report to follow)

Following a summary of the process to date by the Chairman, the Committee considered the responses to the Additional Draft Recommendations consultation which ran from 7 – 28 June 2022, as set out in Appendix A of the report.

Recommendation 3 – Bremhill

The Committee considered the responses from the consultation, including one from the parish council, which related to a cluster of around 6 properties at Stanley Abbey Farm which they and some others considered should remain within the proposed renamed parish of Derry Hill and Studley.. 

The committee reviewed the responses, but considered the arguments had been addressed when it set its initial recommendation and no fresh information had been provided. The Committee therefore determined to confirm Draft recommendation 3.

Recommendation 5 – Cherhill

The Committee noted the consultation responses and discussed options for warding and councillor numbers in terms of population, character and community identity.

It also noted that there was no requirement to have electoral equality at parish ward level in terms of electorate. It that it would be better not to allocate more seats than could be realistically elected to, noting the limited geographic extent and high density of the proposed ward

The Committee determined to confirm Draft recommendation 5.

Recommendation 6 – Heddington

The Committee noted the consultation responses including some in disagreement, relating to Cherhill View Estate. These focused on the financial issue of an estate management fee, which Was not part of the statutory criteria that could be considered and supposed rurality of the estate.

The committee continued to feel the evidence demonstrated the area was an urban extension of the town and the Committee determined to confirm Draft recommendation 6. It considered a comment relating to rookery farm, but continued to consider the area, though accessed through the nearby estate, was of a different character.

Recommendation 7 – Calne Without (Derry Hill & Studley)

The Committee noted the consultation responses, including suggesting amendments relating to warding and the name change.

Following discussion, the Committee noted that most parishes were named after the principal community within them and agreed that Calne Without would be more appropriately renamed Derry Hill & Studley, particularly given the changes to parish boundaries otherwise proposed It therefore did not support changing its initial recommendation

The Committee noted the strong representation of the lead petitioner to be an un-warded parish along with a number of other respondents, and the views expressed by the current Calne Without parish council requesting to be warded. The Committee agreed with the argument that warding would enable the smaller communities to retain their identity and feel represented at parish level, especially given the significant changes proposed to take place.

The parish council had further suggested an amendment to the proposed ward boundaries for Bowood and Sandy Lane, and Derry Hill and Studley ward,  along Church Road in relation to the 5 or so properties on the south of the road. The Committee accepted the argument that these  were more appropriately included as part of the Derry Hill & Studley ward.

The Committee noted that further consultation would be required on the minor change to the ward boundaries, before a final decision being made at the next meeting.

Recommendation 8 - Malmesbury & Surrounding Areas

Cllr Gavin Grant gave an update on behalf of Malmesbury Town Council, on the progress of the joint town and parish council working group which had formed to look at alternative transfer proposals.

The working group had met and walked the boundary to consider a number of possible options for consideration but had not yet reached a consensus and would require more time to formulate a document for submission.

The Committee considered the request and invited the working group to submit a revised proposal by 29 July 2022, for consideration at the next meeting.

The Chairman emphasised that any proposal should clearly set out the benefits in terms of community cohesion and improved local governance, in line with the criteria.

Resolved

1)    To confirm that Council be proposed to approve Additional Draft Recommendations 3 (Bremhill),5 (Cherhill) and 6 (Heddington).

2)    For a further additional consultation to take place on recommendation 7 (Calne without/Derry Hill & Studley) with the dates to be agreed by the Director, Legal and Governance, after consultation with the Chairman of the Committee.

3)    To delegate to the Director, Legal and Governance, in consultation with the Chairman, the preparation of a detailed Final Recommendations document for consideration by Full Council.

4)    To defer making a Final Recommendation for Malmesbury until the next meeting, to allow time for the Malmesbury Town Council and St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council working group to submit a revised proposal.