Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman of the Committee for 2016/17

            RESOLVED

            That Councillor Michael Willett be elected Chairman of the Committee for the current Council year.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Committee for 2016/17

            RESOLVED

            That Councillor David Coldwell be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the current Council year.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members of the Committee

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Committee or the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive reminded the Committee of its terms of reference, which had been approved by Council on 7^th December 2016.

To consider the draft recommendations of the LGBCE on new electoral arrangements for Horsham District Council

The Monitoring Officer reminded Members that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) was currently undertaking an Electoral Review of the District to deliver electoral equality for voters in local elections.

In this respect, on 21^st July 2016, the Council had agreed a submission to the LGBCE, proposing a Council size of 47 councillors from May 2019. On 27^th September 2016 the LGBCE had advised the Council that it was commencing its consultation on proposals for a new pattern of electoral wards and that it was minded to recommend that 47 district councillors should be elected to Horsham District Council in future.

On 7^th December 2016, the Council had approved a submission to the LGBCE on warding arrangements from May 2019 and in doing so agreed that the LGBCE be asked to approve a Council size of 48 councillors (an increase in one from that originally proposed).

The LGBCE had now opened its public consultation on its draft recommendations for new electoral arrangements for Horsham District Council with a closing date of 3^rd April 2017.  The draft recommendations were based on this Council’s proposal for 48 members, as electoral equality was improved under this number.  However, the LGBCE had modified the ward boundaries for Broadbridge Heath, Denne, Forest, Southwater North and Shipley & Southwater South wards from those proposed by the Council to reduce electoral variances which were close to or above 10%.

The Committee discussed proposals for a Council response to the LGBCE’s draft recommendations, acknowledging that the recommendations were largely based on this Council’s submission but asking the LGBCE to reconsider its proposals in respect of the boundaries between Broadbridge Heath/Denne wards and Southwater North/Shipley & Southwater South wards.

It was noted that an Extraordinary Council meeting would need to be called to enable a response to be submitted within the consultation period.

            RECOMMENDED

            That the following be approved as this Council’s response to the LGBCE consultation on its draft recommendations:

            “The Council acknowledges and welcomes that the draft recommendations of the Local Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) on the electoral arrangements for Horsham are largely based on this Council’s submission.  However, the Council has two main areas of concern where it requests the LGBCE to consider amending its proposals, as follows:

(a)        Horsham Town and Broadbridge Heath

            The Council considers that the suggested inclusion of the Highwood area in the Broadbridge Heath ward, whilst improving electoral equality, does not reflect community identity or provide for effective and convenient local government.  This area is separated from the rest of the Broadbridge Heath ward by the A24 dual carriageway (which forms a distinct boundary to the Horsham town area on its western side) and is quite clearly within the town of Horsham.  The residents in this area have no obvious connection with Broadbridge Heath other than the possible use of the out of town shopping area and leisure centre, in common with many other residents of Horsham town as a whole. 

Broadbridge Heath is a distinct  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To receive the report of the Monitoring Officer on the maintenance of the Constitution

The Monitoring Officer reminded the Committee that, under the Constitution, he had power to make minor variations to the Constitution to remove inconsistency or ambiguity; to reflect a decision of the Council or Cabinet; or as a consequence of legislative change. 

Details of three minor variations currently required to the Constitution were reported.

The Committee considered that the proposed variations fell within the Monitoring Officer’s remit of ‘minor variations to the Constitution to remove inconsistency or ambiguity’.

            RESOLVED

            That the proposed variations be noted.

REASON

To give Member oversight in respect of proposed variations to the Constitution and support the Monitoring Officer in maintaining the Council Constitution.

To note the Governance Committee’s Work Programme

The Committee noted the indicative work programme for 2017.

Items not on the agenda which the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as urgent because of the special circumstances

There were no matters of special urgency to be considered.