Agenda item

The Chief Executive presented the report in respect of the Community Governance Review - Final recommendations for approval.

Councillor Rathmell stated that he agreed with the recommendations contained in the report, to reduce the number of Nunthorpe Parish Councillors from 9 to 7.

Councillor Smiles stated that she would like to recommend an amendment to the report to reduce the number of Nunthorpe Parish Councillors from 11 to 9.

Councillor Smiles stated that there were not many applicants for the role of Parish Councillor however the workload had increased because there were a number of very important issues affecting Nunthorpe at the current time including the Nunthorpe Neighbourhood Plan, the application for the building of the new community centre and many other planning issues associated with Nunthorpe. The current demographic of Parish Councillors tended to be older people and Councillor Smiles stated that it would be good to encourage some younger people to take up the role, to provide resilience when other Parish Councillors were unable to fulfil their role.

The role of a Parish Councillor was a voluntary unpaid role so there would be no cost to the Council if the number of Parish Councillors was reduced to 9.

The Chief Executive clarified that, following the outcome of the consultation process, the recommendation in respect of the Nunthorpe Parish Council was that the number of Nunthorpe Parish Councillors be reduced to 7.

Councillor Smiles stated that thirty people responding to the consultation did not equate to a good response.

Councillor Coupe stated that he was happy with the recommendations in respect of the number of Stainton and Thornton Parish Councillors being retained at 7. He queried whether the number could be revisited if new properties at Hemlington Grange were moved into the boundary.

Councillor Rathmell pointed out that 30 people had responded to say that the number of Parish Councillors should be reduced to 7. Councillor Smiles advised that all current Parish Councillors were in favour of reducing the number of Parish Councillors to 9.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that members were being asked to vote on the recommendations arrived at following the outcome of the consultation process.

Following a vote, it was ORDERED as follows:

       I.          That the Stainton and Thornton Parish Council boundary is retained and unaltered.

     II.          That the number of Parish Councillors to be elected for Stainton & Thornton Parish Council remains at 7.

    III.          That Nunthorpe Parish Council is retained with the following proposed changes: 

a.     the Parish Council boundary for Nunthorpe Parish Council is extended to be co terminus with the Nunthorpe electoral ward boundary i.e., to include 1-29 Yew Tree Grove, TS7 8QX, 1-16 Milan Grove, TS7 0DQ

b.     That the Council seeks permission from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to amend Principal Council electoral ward boundaries for Nunthorpe ward be amended to include 12-16 Milan Grove and the Brethren’s area.

c.      That the number of Nunthorpe Parish Councillors be reduced to 7

   IV.          That the Council agree to a Reorganisation Order being submitted and that all changes above will take effect from the next local elections that take place on 4 May 2023.

    V.          That a further detailed review of community councils by the Stronger Communities Team be undertaken, to consider how we engage with community groups and assess what support is required/available.