Agenda item

Community Governance Review

Minutes:

The District Council commenced a community governance review on 30th November 2011 with the publication of a notice, a news release, a timetable and terms of reference.  Letters were sent to parish councils, known community groups, elected representatives and to Kent County Council.  The Electoral Arrangements Committee met on 27th March 2012 to consider the submissions received in response to the review.  Following this meeting, on 16th May 2012 draft recommendations were published and responses invited.  The timetable envisaged that final recommendations would be drawn up and published by the end of November 2012.

 

Councillor Grint reported that he was fully supportive of the proposal put forward by the Badgers Mount Residents Association for the formation of a Badgers Mount Parish Council.  Meetings had been held with local residents and the proposal had received overwhelming support from the residents of Badgers Mount.

 

The Chairman noted that a SDC Finance Officer had reviewed the Badgers Mount Residents Association’s submission and had found that the information did “demonstrate viability of a new parish council.” 

 

Members of the Committee recognised that there was clear support from the residents of Badgers Mount for the proposal for the formation of a Badgers Mount Parish Council .

 

Turning to the issue of Well Hill, the Chairman noted that it may be prudent to establish a Parish Council for Badgers Mount before considering the formation of a Badgers Mount/Well Hill Parish Council.

 

Councillor Mrs Dibsdall asked the Committee to revisit options for Well Hill at a later date, once a Parish Council for Badgers Mount had been established.

 

A Member questioned whether the proposed changes would affect the number of Parish Councillors sitting on Shoreham Parish Council.  The Electoral Services Manager confirmed that this would be a decision for the District Council and that discussions would take place with Shoreham Parish Council following the meeting of the Electoral Arrangements Committee.

 

The Committee noted that, if approved by Full Council, the changes would come into effect in May 2015.

 

Resolved: That it be recommended to Full Council on 16th October 2012:

 

(a)     that the draft recommendations to retain the existing boundaries and electoral arrangements of the Parishes of Chiddingstone, Cowden, Edenbridge, Farningham, Fawkham, Halstead, Hever, Horton Kirby & South Darenth, Kemsing and Knockholt be confirmed;

 

(b)     that the draft recommendations in respect of the parishes of Ash-cum-Ridley and Hartley (Milestone School); Brasted and Westerham (High View Cottage); Crockenhill and Shoreham (no change to present arrangements); Eynsford and Shoreham (Austin Lodge Golf Course); Hextable and Swanley (Lower Road); Chevening, Dunton Green, Riverhead, Seal, Sevenoaks, Sevenoaks Weald and Sundridge with Ide Hill (no change to present arrangements); be confirmed;

 

(c)      that the draft recommendation that no change be made to the electoral arrangements of Hartley Parish be confirmed;

 

(d)     that the draft recommendation that the two properties North Lodge, Redleaf and Woodside Kennels transfer from Leigh Parish to Penshurst Parish be confirmed;

 

(e)      that the properties Stursdon Farm, Mount Farm and Mount Farm Cottage transfer from Otford Parish into Shoreham Parish;

 

(f)       that the draft recommendation to transfer the 8 Twitton properties currently in Shoreham Parish into Otford Parish be confirmed;

 

(g)      that no change be made to the existing warded structure nor to the name of Penshurst Parish Council;

 

(h)     that the Well Hill Hundreds ward remains a part of Shoreham Parish;

 

(i)        that a separate parish of Badgers Mount be created;

 

(j)        that Officers of the District Council discuss with Shoreham Parish Council the electoral arrangements of the reconstituted Parish of Shoreham and present the outcome to a future meeting of the Electoral Arrangements Committee; and

 

(k)      that the draft recommendation for no change between the parishes of Shoreham and West Kingsdown in the vicinity of East Hill be confirmed.

 

(Carried unanimously)

 

Supporting documents:

 

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