Issue - meetings
WILLINGHAM and OVER: Proposed Boundary Review
Meeting: 09/12/2016 - Civic Affairs Committee (Item 5)
5 Willingham and Over Community Governance Review 
PDF 206 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
The Civic Affairs Committee AGREED
(a) The draft terms of reference as laid out in Appendix 1.
(b) The indicative timetable for the review.
Minutes:
The Development Officer (North Locality) introduced this item, which invited the Committee to agree terms of reference for undertaking a formal Community Governance Review of the parish boundary between Willingham and Over following the receipt of a valid petition.
Geoff Twiss, an Over Parish Councillor, addressed the Committee and made the following points:
· The petitioner wanted his business to be in Willingham instead of Over.
· The proposed changes would not enhance community engagement or democracy.
· The proposed change would create an anomaly, as the district ward boundary would remain the same.
· Parishes tended to be divided by physical boundaries and hedgerows can disappear.
· Agreeing to such a small change could send a worrying precedent.
The Electoral Services Manager confirmed that whilst the Council could amend a parish boundary, the ward boundaries could only be changed by the Boundary Commission and so the change proposed in the petition could result in an anomaly, with a small number of parishioners having a different district councillor to the rest of the village.
In response to concerns regarding a further petition submission, the Principal Lawyer reported that the Council could reject a petition calling for a Community Governance Review if it affected a significantly similar area to any petition received in the last two years.
The Committee understood that the Council had to progress with a review after receiving a valid petition and it was agreed that the timetable appeared sensible, with the Committee due to consider the results of the petition at its meeting on 28 September 2017.
The Civic Affairs Committee AGREED
(a) The draft terms of reference as laid out in Appendix 1.
(b) The indicative timetable for the review.
Meeting: 21/11/2011 - Electoral Arrangements Committee (Item 15)
15 WILLINGHAM and OVER: Proposed Boundary Review PDF 27 KB
Additional documents:
- Appendix A - Boundary between Willingham and Over, item 15
PDF 66 KB
- Appendix B - Over& Willingham Boundary, item 15
PDF 2 MB
Decision:
The Electoral Arrangements Committee DECLINED to instigate a Community Governance Review.
Minutes:
The Legal & Democratic Services Manager& Deputy Monitoring Officerreported that Willingham Parish Council had submitted a request for a review of their boundary with Over. It was noted that Over Parish Council had not been consulted by Willingham before the request was submitted, and had been contacted by the Legal & Democratic Services Manager to obtain its views. It was reported to the meeting that Over Parish Council were against the proposed review as it felt there was no reason to amend the historic boundaries as joint consultation always took place on anything that affected the area that was close to Willingham. Over Parish Council had also expressed disappointment that Willingham Parish Council had not consulted them before submitting the request. Councillor Manning had submitted written comments to the Committee supporting Willingham’s request and suggesting an alternative boundary, which sought to redraw Willingham’s West boundary to correspond with the awarded watercourse next to Cold Harbour Farm.
On the invitation of the Committee, Reg Purnell from Willingham Parish Council gave further representations as to this request. He believed that the current boundary was not conducive to good community governance, stating that residential and business properties (including an industrial estate) serving and served by Willingham were technically in Over. Residents close to either side of the border therefore had no involvement with developments affecting them from the other Parish.
Councillor Burling spoke on behalf of Over Parish Council, who were unhappy that Willingham had neglected to consult with them. He stated that these boundaries were historical, and Over were loath to change them. In response to the issue of planning developments, it was noted that developers were routinely asked to consult with Willingham Parish Council.
Members discussed the details of this proposal, and noted that the main resource implication of carrying out a community governance review would be officer time. Members agreed that all Parishes had boundary anomalies, and Willingham and Over should consult with each other more fully with the aim of submitting a joint proposal for a boundary change before a lengthy review process be undertaken, though it was noted that this consensus was unlikely. Members felt that the request was focused around planning issues, which were more appropriate for Planning Committee to discuss.
The Electoral Arrangements Committee DECLINED to instigate a Community Governance Review.