Agenda and minutes

Decision: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2018 be noted.  

To note the electoral review timeline.

Phil Davies, Electoral Services Manager, presented the timeline and explained that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has now confirmed that the number of Councillors will reduce to 42 from May 2020.  This decision brings to a close stage 1 in the electoral review process.

On the same day that the Council size was announced, the LGBCE launched stage 2 of the review with a public consultation on ward arrangements, and was inviting proposals from interested groups and individuals. 

Although the deadline for the consultation is due to expire on 3 September, the Council has received written approval from the LGBCE that it may submit its proposal after the Council meeting on 18 September.  This was subject to the condition that the draft proposal be forwarded to the LGBCE by mid-August.

The LGBCE’s draft recommendations are expected to be released in November, at which point a further consultation will be launched (on the draft recommendations).  The consultation has been scheduled to take place between November and January 2019. 

The LGBCE is scheduled to publish its final recommendations on the new ward boundaries in March 2019.

It is useful that the Polling Places review, which is required every five years, coincides with the new warding arrangements.  The register published in December 2019 will be based on the new warding arrangements in readiness for the all-out elections in 2020. 

Decision: That the timeline be noted.

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.