Issue - meetings

An Extraordinary meeting of the General Purposes Committee is scheduled to take place immediately before the meeting of Council to consider a submission to the Boundary Commission regarding the future size of the Borough Council.  The Committee will also consider the recommendations of the Electoral Review Working Group held on 10 March 2021 (circulated in advance of the meeting).

A verbal update will be given to Council on any recommendations arising from the General Purposes Committee.

The report of the Chief Executive provided an overview of the Boundary Commission Review process.  Proposals regarding the future size of the Borough Council using an evidence base that analysed the operation of the organisation in recent years were also outlined.

There had been in-depth discussion on the proposals at the General Purposes Committee held immediately before the extraordinary meeting of Council.  A number of views had been considered and the concerns raised regarding the level of representation provided to local communities and the quality of decision making if the size of the council was reduced significantly had been noted.

It was confirmed that the Boundary Commission would have regard to all submissions received and that individuals and/or groups were able to submit their own submissions.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the report be noted; and

(2)             the approach and conclusion to reduce the future size of the Council to ‘in the region’ of 43 Councillors, as recommended by the General Purposes Committee and as set out at Minute Number GP 21/8, be approved.

A meeting of the Electoral Review Working Group is to be held on 10 March 2021 to consider a submission to the Boundary Commission regarding the future size of the Borough Council.

Recommendations from the Working Group will be circulated to Members in advance of the extraordinary meeting of the General Purposes Committee.

The report of the Chief Executive provided an overview of the Boundary Commission Review process.  Proposals regarding the future size of the Borough Council using an evidence base that analysed the operation of the organisation in recent years were also outlined.

It was reported that there had been in-depth discussion on the proposals at the meeting of the Electoral Review Working Group held on 10 March 2021 and a number of views had been considered.  The recommendations of the Working Group were set out for further consideration by the General Purposes Committee.

Some concerns were raised regarding the level of representation provided to local communities and the quality of decision making if the size of the council was reduced significantly.  In response to these concerns, it was reiterated that the Boundary Commission would have regard to all submissions received and that individuals and/or groups were able to submit their own submissions.

In conclusion, and having regard to the evidence presented, it was felt that a figure in the region of 43 Councillors would be consistent with the change in governance and scrutiny arrangements since 2010/11 as well as the reduction in the size of Council expenditure and staffing.   This reduction would also reflect current and future changes in work patterns and would be consistent with the level of Councillor numbers within the CIPFA group, especially when considering other reviews within the group since 2010/11.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the report be noted; and

(2)             the approach and conclusion to reduce the future size of the Council to ‘in the region’ of 43 Councillors, as recommended by the Electoral Review Working Group and as set out in the report, be commended to the Council.

*Referred to Council