Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest from Members

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Council, the Leader, Members of the Cabinet or the Chief Executive

The Chairman:

·        Advised that the Union Flag had been flown at half-mast last week at the Council’s offices and the Carfax War Memorial to honour those killed and seriously injured at the terrorist attack in Nice.   A letter had also been sent to the Mayor of Nice expressing sympathy for the families affected by this tragic incident.

·        Reported the sad news of the deaths of George Cockman, a dedicated Councillor for over 20 years until his retirement in 2015, and of Mrs. Marjorie Ward, who had served as a Councillor for 15 years from 1980 to 1995 and was Chairman for the year 1990-91, together with details of their funerals.

To receive the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services on the submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on the future number of Members for Horsham District Council

The Leader reported that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) had informed the Council in April 2016 that it would be undertaking an Electoral Review of the District to deliver electoral equality for voters in local elections.  The Commission assessed electorate data for each local authority annually and conducted reviews where significant electoral inequality was found.  In 2016, 32% of Horsham’s wards had a variance of greater than 10% with little prospect of the variance correcting itself through development or population movements.  The electoral review process would comprise two distinct parts a) council size and b) electoral ward boundaries.  The Council was currently required to make a submission to the LGBCE in respect of council size only, in accordance with their specified criteria.

Members had received a briefing from the LGBCE, been invited to complete a survey and had the opportunity to attend two seminars.  The consensus from this programme of engagement with Members was that the Council would need more councillors from May 2019.

            RESOLVED

            That the submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on Council size be approved as submitted and that the Council size therefore be proposed at 47 councillors from May 2019.

            REASON

            To provide the Council’s response to stage one of the electoral review process by proposing the number of members that the Council believes will be right for the authority from May 2019 to ensure appropriate levels of governance, scrutiny and community leadership for Horsham District Council.

To consider matters certified by the Chairman as urgent

There were no urgent matters to be considered.