Agenda item

Tom Clark, Solicitor and Head of Regulatory Services gave a brief introduction to note that the purpose of the meeting was to consider undertaking Community Governance Reviews (CGRs) and not the outcomes of such reviews.

Terry Stanley, Business Unit Leader for Democratic Services, introduced the report, reminding the Committee that following the outcomes of the Electoral Review of Mid Sussex District Council undertaken by the Local Government Boundary Commission, the proposal was to conduct Community Governance Reviews to align administrative and electoral boundaries as identified and explained within the Committee report. He emphasised that the Committee were being asked to consider commencing the CGR’s and not potential outcomes of the reviews.

The Chairman proposed discussing each recommendation in turn and the Committee agreed. Discussions were held around the CGR’s for Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath Town Councils and consequential considerations for the Parish Councils of Ansty & Staplefield, Lindfield and Lindfield Rural. There was concern those communities that needed to be consulted were not yet established as the Northern Arc was still under development. The impact on Parish Council budgets also needed to be considered. Councillor Pete Bradbury proposed an amendment to the recommendation 3.i (p.9) that it reads:

‘Postpone to 2025 the proposed CGRs to consider administrative and electoral arrangements for Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath Town Councils and consequential considerations for the Parish Councils of Ansty & Staplefield, Lindfield and Lindfield Rural.’

This was seconded by Councillor Clarke. There was discussion of the proposed Motion and some Members raised concern that the same reasons for deferral could be raised again in 2025, if the reviews were delayed. Cllr. Bradbury assured Members that his Motion was specific in deferring the reviews only until 2025.

The Chairman took Members to the vote on the amendment to 3.i proposed by Councillor Bradbury, which was agreed, with 8 in favour and 4 against.

The Chairman introduced the second recommendation 3.ii (p.9). The Solicitor and Head of Regulatory Services clarified this recommendation was at the request of East Grinstead Town Council. Councillor Phillips proposed to agree the recommendation, and this was seconded by Councillor Clarke. The Chairman took Members to the vote which was agreed with 11 in favour and 1 abstention.

The Chairman moved to the recommendation 3.iii (p.9) and clarified for Members this was only to agree the draft Terms of Reference for East Grinstead. The recommendation was moved from the Chair and Members were asked to vote, which was agreed, with 11 in favour and 1 abstention.

The Chairman introduced the recommendation 3.iv (p.9) and proposed an amendment to the recommendation that it reads;

‘Authorise the Head of Regulatory Services to make minor amendments to Terms of Reference in consultation with the Chairman and Portfolio Holder, if additional matters arise, and as otherwise may prove necessary during the period of the CGR’s.’

This was seconded by Councillor Stockwell and the Chairman took Members to the vote on the amendment to 3. iv which was agreed unanimously. 

Finally, Members were asked to note the recommendation set out at 3.v (p.9), the Chairman reminded Members this recommendation was only in relation to East Grinstead.

The Chairman took Members to the vote on the recommendation, which was agreed, with 10 in favour and 2 abstentions.

RESOLVED                 

The Scrutiny Committee for Community, Customer Services and Service Delivery agreed to:

(i) Postpone to 2025 the proposed CGRs to consider administrative and electoral arrangements for Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath Town Councils and consequential considerations for the parish councils of Ansty & Staplefield, Lindfield and Lindfield Rural (as amended).

(ii) Agree the proposed CGR to consider Councillor numbers and ward boundaries for East Grinstead Town Council.

(iii) Agree for East Grinstead the draft Terms of Reference and Guidance for Respondents which have been the subject of consultation with the affected Town Council.

(iv) Authorise the Head of Regulatory Services to make minor amendments to Terms of Reference in consultation with the Chairman and Portfolio Holder, if additional matters arise, and as otherwise may prove necessary during the period of the CGRs (as amended).

(v) And to note that further reports would be provided as this Council’s draft and final recommendations are available at later stages of the Reviews.