Agenda item

To note and endorse the views of the Democracy and Standards Committee on the proposed boundary changes to parliamentary constituencies and authorise the Leader to make a submission on behalf of the Council.

Full Council were being requested to note and endorse the views of the Democracy and Standards Committee on the proposed boundary changes to parliamentary constituencies and authorise the Leader to make a submission on behalf of the Council.

The Boundary Commission for England had published proposals to change parliamentary constituency boundaries from 2023 onwards. A report had been submitted to the Democracy and Standards Committee at its meeting on 26^th July 2021. Councillor Lora Lawman (Chair of the Democracy and Standards Committee) presented an update report to Council on the committee’s conclusions and a written copy of their views was circulated prior to the Full Council meeting to all members. 

Council were being asked to consider the committee’s conclusions and authorise the Leader to make an appropriate response to the Commission before the consultation period closed on 2^nd August 2021.

Councillor Keane voiced concern regarding the intention to propose splitting the Corby Rural ward, particularly in relation to Middleton parish being relocated into Kettering constituency as this included the area designated for the Land West of Corby development, and the villages around Corby identified more with Corby than Kettering.

Councillor Carr complained regarding the lack of information from the Commission to local town and parish councils regarding the consultation and proposals. The villages and communities proposed for inclusion into Daventry or South Northants did not identify with these areas.

Councillor Wetherill stated that Finedon needed to remain linked with Wellingborough, this was the natural community link, there was no community identity with Kettering. Councillor Wetherill supported the recommendation to object to this Commission proposal.

Councillor Andy Mercer recognised the difficulties faced by the Commission. They had been charged by Government to implement the review process within strict criteria. There was a need to try to “even out” the electorate figures within constituencies; the Commission were trying to be logical.

Councillor David Brackenbury appreciated the difficulties faced by the Committee in formulating a draft consultation response and commended the suggested consultation response and recommendations to Council.

Councillor Griffiths raised concern that there may be confusion in the minds of some electors. Electors had recently seen changes in their local governance; further changes in parliamentary governance may cause further confusion and uncertainty.

Councillor Gill Mercer reminded Council that some change in boundaries was inevitable, as there was a need to try to achieve some form of equality. The Committee were suggesting there was a way to minimise this change and these proposals be put to the Commission. Councillor Mercer recognised that all three constituencies would see significant urban extensions over future years, so electorate figures would see a steady increase across all areas.

Councillor Maxwell recognised that the division of Irthlingborough made sense, and that some change was inevitable. Councillor Maxwell felt any elected parliamentarian would seek to represent their respective area and electorate to the best of their ability.

Councillor Wilkes welcomed the proposed consultation response, in that it sought to minimise the displacement of electors. There were likely to be 3,500 fewer displaced from the North Northamptonshire area than currently proposed by the Commission.

Councillor Hallam pointed out that Earls Barton ward was already split. Councillor Hallam felt that some residents were already losing out. The current Commission proposals would compound this situation.

Councillor Fedorowycz recognised the difficulties in formulating a response to the Commission and commended the Committee’s recommendations to Council. Councillor Fedorowycz felt that it was important, whatever the Commission’s final proposals, that communication with electors on any changes was a priority. It was important that those facing changes to their elected representation in the future were properly informed.

Councillor Lora Lawman in conclusion thanked those councillors who had submitted representations to the Committee; these were considered during deliberations. Councillor Lawman thanked Martin Hammond (Executive Director) and other officers for their assistance during the consultation process. Councillor Lawman agreed that the Commission’s communication with local town and parish councils was disappointing and did not allow for full participation in the consultation process. Councillor Lawman commended the Committee’s recommendations as circulated to Full Council.

Councillor L Lawman MOVED the recommendations, Councillor G Mercer SECONDED.

RESOLVED that: -

(i)            That the ward of Raunds be moved back into the Corby and East Northamptonshire constituency;

(ii)          That the town of Irthlingborough (polling districts SD and SF) be transferred to the Wellingborough constituency but the remainder of the ward be retained within the Corby and East Northamptonshire constituency;

(iii)         That the whole of the Finedon ward be retained within the Wellingborough constituency and not split between constituencies;

(iv)         That the polling districts of Stanion, Little Stanion, Cottingham, Middleton and East Carlton be transferred from the Corby and East Northamptonshire constituency to the Kettering constituency, but the remainder of the Corby Rural ward be retained within the Corby and East Northamptonshire constituency;

(v)          That the boundary between the Wellingborough and Daventry constituencies should follow the line of the parish boundary of Wellingborough rather than the ward boundary, so as to include the urban extensions of Redhill Grange and Glenvale Park within the Wellingborough constituency (polling districts WMA and WGB); and

(vi)         That the constituency names should be – Corby and East Northamptonshire, Kettering, Wellingborough and Rushden.