Agenda item

Councillor Richard Clewer, Chairman of the Electoral Review Committee, presented Final Recommendation 3 of the Committee. The proposal was to transfer areas of within the parishes of Langley Burrell Without and Lacock to the parish of Chippenham, with associated governance changes.

The proposals aligned to the incoming Chippenham Monkton, Chippenham Hardenhuish and Chippenham Lowden and Rowden unitary Divisions. Each broadly followed the line of allocated housing sites. All three parish and town councils supported the proposals, considering that the character and interests of the incoming communities as urban extensions of the town would be more appropriate within Chippenham, with full reasoning set out in the Final Recommendations document.

Councillor Clewer noted objections had been raised by residents of the Rowden Lane hamlet currently within the parish of Lacock, and the incoming Showell ward, which was a more rural area. However, on balance of the evidence and arguments, and in considering the statutory criteria for Community Governance Reviews and taking account of the changing nature of the area as a whole, the Committee had concluded it was appropriate to transfer the area. The need to create viable and appropriate wards also constrained available options. It was considered that whilst it was appropriate to transfer the Showell ward in advance of the May 2021 elections, the precise line of the wards and requesting an amendment of the Division line might be appropriate to consider in future.

During debate the proposals for Lacock were discussed, noting the changing situation for the area of the Showell ward within the period required to be considered during the review, and the particular character of the existing hamlet. It was suggested it could be recommended that the Committee examine the area again in future, when the boundary and development issues might have been clarified or changed.

Other comments raised connections of Rowden with Chippenham Town, and noting that the parish councils supported the proposals, and that it was appropriate that new housing developments on the edge of the town were transferred into the town.

The Chairman then moved a motion to suspend Paragraphs 22.6.2-22.6.4 of Part 4 of the Constitution, which would mean recorded votes would not be automatically taken on the items before the meeting. This was seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

Following a vote, the motion to suspend the above sections of the Constitution was carried.

At the conclusion of debate, it was therefore,

Resolved:

3.1 That the area of the Barrow Farm Ward of Langley Burrell Without be transferred to Chippenham Town Council and merged with the Chippenham Hardenhuish Ward, to continue to contain three councillors.

3.2 That the area of the Rawlings Farm Ward of Langley Burrell Without be transferred to Chippenham Town Council and merged with the Chippenham Monkton Ward, to continue to contain three councillors.

3.3 That the area of the Showell Ward of Lacock be transferred to Chippenham Town Council and merged with the Chippenham Lowden and Rowden Ward, to continue to contain three councillors.

3.4 That Lacock Parish Council be comprised of eleven councillors, without warding arrangements.

3.5 That Langley Burrell Without Parish Council be comprised of five councillors, without warding arrangements.

Reasons: Paragraphs 73, 78, 80, 83, 84, 85 of the Guidance on Community Governance Reviews