Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Councillor Alistair Bradley, Chair of the Committee who submitted his apologies on this occassion; nominations were sought to elect a Chair for the meeting.

AGREED: that Councillor Peter Wilson be appointed Chair for the meeting.

AGREED – That the minutes be confirmed as a correct record.

A copy of the timeline of the electoral review for information (enclosed).

The Committee was informed that an extension had been agreed with the LGBCE which will allow the council to submit its proposal by 20 September.  This is to allow members of the council to debate the proposal at its meeting on 18 September.

The consultation itself is due to expire on 3 September.

AGREED – That the timeline be noted.

At the last Committee meeting on 9 July, members rejected the officer proposal for new mapping arrangements as part of the electoral review, and were invited to submit their own proposals.

Since the above meeting, a new proposal has been put forward, which is now enclosed for the Committee’s consideration.

The Committee considered a new proposal on future ward arrangements which incorporated members’ suggestions received since the last meeting.

During debate, members acknowledged that the arrangements to the new wards were not ideal.  However, they were minded that there was a requirement that a reduction in the number of wards from 20 to 14 was required and that the proposal presented seemed best fit.

AGREED – That the new mapping arrangements be approved.

To receive a draft proposal of the Council’s submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on its preferred new warding arrangements for the borough.  This is subject to approval of the previous item, and agreement at the Council meeting on 18 September.

Members considered a draft of the proposal on ward arrangements to be submitted to the LGBCE subject to formal approval at the Council meeting on 18 September.

During debate, members raised the following issues:

·         Error in regards to polling district reference for four roads in the Chorley North East Ward;

·         The narration in relation to Chorley North to be expanded to include a linkage with current polling district 19D;

·         That a housing estate had been split into different wards, with the preference that it should all be in one ward.

It was AGREED by majority decision (8:1:0): That the proposal be referred to the council meeting on 18 September 2018 for approval, prior to it being formally submitted to the LGBCE on 20 September subject to the following:

1.    CHORLEY NORTH EAST WARD - that Brinscall Terrace, Butterworth Brow, Canterbury Close and Chapel Street be listed under current polling district 20D.

2.    CHORLEY NORTH WARD – the narration to be amended to link the current polling district 19D in with the rest of the ward.

3.    LOSTOCK AND MAWDESLEY WARD – that all Fairbank, Church Walk, Brookside and Euxton Hall Court, Euxton Hall Gardens be included in this ward.