To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 July 2019, as a correct record.

Resolved:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Governance Committee held on 11 July 2019, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interest not already registered

No additional declarations of interest were made.

There were none.

The Chief Officer Customer & Resources introduced the Electoral Services Manager and the Electoral Consultant Richard Beesley who presented the report on a statutory consultation regarding the polling districts and polling places within the District. The report made recommendations to confirm the location of every polling place throughout the district, and requested that a minor change to one existing polling district be implemented.

In response to a Member’s concerns that the response to the consultation comment with regards to St John’s Church Hall causing lower turnout due to the disadvantage experienced by voters from the Hillingdon (BV) end of the ward, the reasoning set out at paragraph 18 of the report was reiterated.  Whilst the current venue was not ideal for all electors it still represented the best location that could currently be provided, and there would always be some electors who would need to travel further than others.  The promotion of postal voting was suggested by other Members.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Council that

a)    the minor adjustment the boundary between polling districts BZ (Lower St. John’s) and CC (Upper St. John’s) be agreed, such that all properties are included in the same polling district;

b)   all other polling district boundaries be retained and unchanged; and

c)    the proposed polling places as set out in Appendix C to the report, be agreed.

The Head of Legal & Democratic Services introduced the report by the Members working group on the roles of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council. The Chairman explained the findings of the Working Group and responded to questions, using his discretion to allow the current Chairman of the Council, Councillor Edwards-Winser, to address the Committee.

Resolved: That

a)    the report of the Members working group and its recommendations be noted;

b)   it be recommended to Council that the Member working group recommendations be adopted subject to any necessary growth item being approved through the formal budget-making progress; and

c)    any recommendations for growth be referred to the next meeting of the Finance Advisory Committee for consideration.

The work plan was noted, with the addition of the review of any recommendations taken forward at Council of the Chairman’s Role.  A review/update on the changes to the boundaries post December election period was mooted with the Chief Officer Customer & Resources advising he would find out whether that would be feasible.