In accordance with Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman advised the Committee he had agreed to accept an urgent matter– ‘Community Governance Review’.

The report needed to be considered at this meeting in line with the agreed timetable at the meeting of the Governance Committee on 13 March 2014, so that a decision could be made at Full Council on 22 July 2014 and the Council’s draft proposals could be published by the end of July.  The deadlines needed to be kept in order for any changes to parish arrangements to take effect at the publication of the register of electors by 1 December 2014 and at next May’s local elections. 

The Electoral Services Manager presented the report which advised Members that the Council was required to keep parish council governance under constant review. Submissions had been received from the Parish Councils of Shoreham and Chevening and representations in support had been received during the consultation period.  As per the timetable agreed at the 13 March 2014 Governance Committee meeting the draft proposal would allow an opportunity for further consultation.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved:  That it be recommended to Council that

(a)               a new Romney Street Ward be created in the Parish of Shoreham;

(b)               the number of parish councillors for the Romney Street Ward, the Shoreham Ward and The Well Hill Hundreds Ward of the Parish of Shoreham be 1,6,1 respectively; and

(c)                the boundary between the parishes of Chevening and Sevenoaks Weald be amended to the area of Bowzell Green.