Agenda item

RESOLVED:

(i)            To approve the principle of undertaking Community Governance Reviews in respect of the electoral arrangements for Town and Parish Councils.

(ii)           To approve the outline timetable for the review as set out in paragraph 5.5 of the report.

The Head of Electoral Services presented the report which sought to seek approval on the principle of undertaking Community Governance Reviews of local Town and Parish Council electoral arrangements from September 2025.

Following the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE) review of electoral arrangements for North Northamptonshire Council, the final recommendations had been taken forward into the North Northamptonshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2024.  Article 4 and Schedule 2 of that Order set out the changes that were relevant to local town and parish electoral arrangements.  These included abolishing some of the existing parish wards and replacing them with new parish wards, as well as making changes to the number of councillors representing those wards.

The report set out an outline timetable that would enable Community Governance Reviews to be undertaken and completed within the recommended 12 month period and prior to the May 2029 local government elections.  As part of the process, it was essential to ensure adequate time was allocated to consultation to promote meaningful engagement in the review and for the submission of representations from local communities.

The proposed timetable facilitated two 10 week periods of consultation to enable Members and local communities sufficient opportunity to consider proposals and prepare representations and other feedback and to consider recommendations prior to creation of the final Reorganisation Orders.  The timings would also provide an opportunity to prepare and implement interim governance arrangements during the period making the Community Governance Reorganisation Order and the scheduled May 2029 elections.

It was raised that the current Corby Town Council wards mirrored those of North Northamptonshire Council and this could lead to confusion for the public about whether they were voting in the right district.  In response to a question as to whether existing town and parish councillors terms of office could be extended, the Head of Electoral Services advised that the issue of polling districts would be picked up during the Polling District and Place Review and would be brought into alignment as part of that review.  Extending terms of office could be looked at but as town and parish councils were charged for holding elections this would lead to greater costs for them if they were held separate to unitary elections.

In response to a question as to whether the LGBCE could reject any proposed Order, the Assistant Director of Legal and Governance advised that she had not seen any examples of other Orders being rejected, but if they were to do so it would likely be due to a deficient process.

It was raised that consultation would be a key part of this process and it was suggested that the Communications Team be used to ensure key communications were released effectively.  The Head of Electoral Services confirmed that a communications plan would be developed.

It was proposed by Councillor Wendy Brackenbury and seconded by Councillor Graham Lawman that the recommendations in the report be put to the vote.  The Chair put the motion to the vote and it was declared carried.

RESOLVED:

(i)           To approve the principle of undertaking Community Governance Reviews in respect of the electoral arrangements for Town and Parish Councils.

(ii)          To approve the outline timetable for the review as set out in paragraph 5.5 of the report.