Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report on proposed ward arrangements (enclosed).

Phil Davies reported that the officer proposal is based purely on numbers.  A spreadsheet is enclosed with the agenda which sets out each ward, the proposed electorate and the percentage variance.  Ideally the variance should be up to 5%, but could be up to 10%.

The proposal retains existing Polling Districts, Town and Parish and LCC Divisions where possible to ensure that electors are not voting at different Polling Stations at different elections.  Members highlighted the need to highlight where communities identify with each other, and to present evidence to support this where possible. 

Members agreed to consider the detail of the proposed warding arrangements in group meetings and to provide proposed amendments to officers by 27 July.  A further meeting of this group will be arranged w/c 13 August to facilitate the draft proposals being shared with LGBCE by the end of August. 

Political parties can submit their own proposals to LGBCE in addition to the Council submission. 

A map of Chorley showing the Polling Districts will be sent electronically following the meeting and if there are any queries Members should contact Phil Davies. 

The appointment of an additional reserve per party will be included on the next Council agenda to facilitate another meeting week commencing 13 August. 

Decision:

1.         To consider the 14 new ward boundaries and their names within political groups meetings.

2.         A further meeting of this group to be arranged w/c 13 August to facilitate the draft proposals being shared with LGBCE by the end of August. 

3.         Once the committee agrees to the new ward arrangement (subject to amendments) a (revised) copy of the map including the breakdown of polling districts (and any streets that had been split) to be displayed in the members room.

4.         The agreed new ward arrangement (subject to amendments) be presented at the council meeting on 18 September 2018 before submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) on 20 September 2018.