Agenda item

Cllr Richard Clewer, Chairman of the Electoral Review Committee, introduce the proposals of the Committee in respect of proposed names for each of the electoral division.

The Chairman explained the process for debating the proposal and considering amendments.

Cllr Clewer moved the Committee’s recommendation, seconded by Cllr Gavin Grant, and thanked officers for their support constructing a Council submission. He explained the methodology the Committee had used to propose names, and that the names related to the Committee proposals only, not in respect of the Commission proposed divisions.

The Chairman then invited statements from members of the public.

Mr Francis Morland suggested ‘Westbury West’ should be renamed ‘Westbury South’ and ‘Warminster North and Rural’, should become ‘Warminster North and Corsley’.

Cllr Clewer explained the names corresponded with the Council’s submission of boundaries and he would consider a recommendation if it had support from local members.

There were no comments from Group Leaders.

The Chairman then invited comments in debate.

Cllr Christopher Newbury suggested Mr Morland send his proposals for name changes to the Commission directly.

Cllr Jon Hubbard noted the Commission would need to deviate from the Council’s proposed names if they did not agree with the submission. It was highlighted that Bowerhill and Berryfield parishes did not like the word ‘Melksham’ before them. Cllr Clewer advised parishes could make submissions directly to the Commission.

Cllr Hubbard moved an amendment for ‘Melksham Bowerhill’ to become ‘Bowerhill’, ‘Melksham East’ to become ‘Melksham Sandridge’, ‘Melksham South’ to become ‘Melksham Spa’, Cllr Hubbard moved ‘Melksham North’ be renamed ‘Whitley, Shaw and Shurnhold’, and was seconded by Cllr Pat Aves.

On going to the vote, the amendment was passed.

Cllr Mark Connolly moved an amendment to change the name of ‘Tidworth West’ to ‘Tidworth North and West’, this was accepted by the mover of the original motion.

Cllr Fleur de Rhé-Philipe spoke against the name change proposed by Mr Morland and Cllr Philip Whalley suggested Corsham Town be named Corsham Ladbrook by the Commission.

Cllr Grant spoke in support of the Committee’s naming methodology. 

Cllr Laura Mayes moved an amendment for ‘Seend and Potterne’ division to be ‘Seend, Potterne and Poulshot’ division, this was accepted by the mover of the motion.

Cllr Jose Green moved an amendment that ‘Chalke Valley’ be ‘Fovant and the Chalke Valley’, this was accepted by the mover of the motion.

Cllr Fred Westmoreland spoke in support of the proposals.

Cllr James Sheppard moved an amendment that ‘Ramsbury’ division be retained as ‘Aldbourne and Ramsbury’, this was accepted by the mover of the motion..

Cllr Christopher Devine moved an amendment that ‘Alderbury and Winterslow’ be renamed ‘Winterslow and Alderbury’. This amendment was not accepted by the mover of the motion, and as there was no seconder therefore the amendment fell.

Cllr Atiqul Hoque suggested a change to names in Salisbury if the Commission’s recommendation was accepted. Cllr Clewer advised this was not appropriate since the Council had challenged the Commission’s boundary proposals for Salisbury, this was echoed by the Leader.

Cllr Gordon King proposed an amendment to change ‘Westbury East’ to ‘Westbury Lavington’, ‘Westbury North’ to ‘Westbury Ham’, and ‘Westbury West’ to ‘Westbury Parks’. Cllr Clewer did not accept this due to no request from the Town Council for this. Cllr Russell Hawker seconded the amendment. Cllr Newbury spoke against the proposed amendment. Cllr Hawker spoke in support of the amendment on the grounds it better suited the spread of the divisions and the confusion over Westbury Leigh and Leigh Park.

On going to the vote, the amendment failed.

Cllr Ricky Rogers proposed an amendment from ‘Salisbury Bemerton Heath’ to ‘Salisbury Bemerton’. However, it was acknowledged this could then produce two divisions with similar names with ‘Salisbury Fisherton and Bemerton’. It was considered whether Bemerton was known as ‘Bemerton Village or ‘Lower Bemerton. Cllr Clewer accepted the amendment to change ‘Salisbury Bemerton Heath’ to ‘Salisbury Bemerton’ and ‘Salisbury Fisherton and Bemerton’ to ‘Salisbury Fisherton and Lower Bemerton’.

Resolved:

That Council approves the proposed names of the divisions as recommended in Appendix A, with the following amendments:

‘Bowerhill’ to replace ‘Melksham Bowerhill’;

‘Melksham Sandridge’ to replace ‘Melksham East’;

‘Melksham Spa’ to replace ‘Melksham South’;

‘Whitley Shaw and Shurnhold’ to replace ‘Melksham North’;

‘Tidworth North and West’ to replace ‘Tidworth West’;

‘Seend, Potterne and Poulshot’ to replace ‘Seend and Potterne’;

‘Fovant and Chalke Valley’ to replace ‘Chalke Valley’;

‘Aldbourne and Ramsbury’ to replace ‘Ramsbury’;

‘Salisbury Bemerton’ to replace ‘Salisbury Bemerton Heath’;

‘Salisbury Fisherton and Lower Bemerton’ to replace ‘Salisbury Fisherton and Bemerton’.