Agenda item

The Executive considered a report detailing the responses received during the initial consultation period for the Community Governance Review (CGR) of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, together with the comments of Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The Executive was invited to forward its comments to Council for its consideration when agreeing the draft recommendations of the review. 

The CGR request was based on the issues of the parish boundary between Bishop’s Stortford and Thorley and the ward boundaries within the town.  The Electoral Services Officer detailed the consultation responses and referred to the comments of Overview and Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 17 April 2018.  He advised that Council on 16 May 2018 would be requested to determine draft recommendations which would then be subject to further consultation.  These consultation responses would be reported to Council in October 2018, when any Community Governance Reorganisation Order would be made.  If any changes to electoral arrangements were required, these would be implemented for the elections in May 2019.

The Electoral Services Officer also advised that any changes to parish boundaries would not automatically change the district ward or county division boundaries.  Such changes would have to be approved by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LBGCE).

Councillor G McAndrew expressed concern over the future viability of Thorley Parish Council and referred to the cohesion and identity of the local community.  He also referred to the level of consultation responses and the evident tensions arising from the emerging District Plan.  Various other Members also expressed similar concerns and spoke of the distinct local characteristics of Thorley parish.

Councillor S Rutland-Barsby referred to the number of consultation responses that appeared to have been made on planning grounds rather than governance matters.  She acknowledged the concerns for the future of Thorley parish and suggested a compromise whereby only the St Michael’s Mead development and the proposed area of further housing development south of Whittington Way be incorporated within Bishop’s Stortford. 

Other Members supported this view and referred to the anomalies of the boundary cutting through St Michael’s Mead.

Councillor G Williamson moved, and Councillor S Rutland-Barsby seconded, a motion that:

(A)       the responses received to the initial consultation on the community governance review of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, together with the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the review, be noted;

(B)       the Council be recommended to include the proposed ward boundary changes in the draft recommendations of the review; and also to recommend the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) to amend the district ward boundaries accordingly;

(C)       the Council be recommended to include in the draft recommendations of the review a change to the parish boundary between Bishop’s Stortford and Thorley, such that the whole of the St Michael’s Mead development and the proposed area of further housing development south of Whittington Way be incorporated within Bishop’s Stortford; and

(D)      the Council be recommended that Thorley Street and the areas east of London Road and the railway, including Pig Lane and Twyford Bury Lane should remain part of Thorley parish, reflecting their more rural nature and securing the viability of the revised Thorley parish area.

After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

The Executive supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the responses received to the initial consultation on the community governance review of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, together with the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the review, be noted;

(B)       the Council be recommended to include the proposed ward boundary changes in the draft recommendations of the review; and also to recommend the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) to amend the district ward boundaries accordingly;

(C)       the Council be recommended to include in the draft recommendations of the review a change to the parish boundary between Bishop’s Stortford and Thorley, such that the whole of the St Michael’s Mead development and the proposed area of further housing development south of Whittington Way be incorporated within Bishop’s Stortford; and

(D)      the Council be recommended that Thorley Street and the areas east of London Road and the railway, including Pig Lane and Twyford Bury Lane should remain part of Thorley parish, reflecting their more rural nature and securing the viability of the revised Thorley parish area.