Agenda item

Terry Stanley, Business Unit Leader for Democratic Services, introduced the report which following the completion of the first of two public consultations, explains the findings of the first consultation. The report includes the resulting draft recommendations for Worth Parish Council as set out at p.13 of the report, and he proposed that these should form the basis of the second consultation. He gave thanks to all public participants and elected representatives for the comprehensive written contributions submitted to the Review.

TheChairman thanked the Business Unit Leader and took Members to a debate on the item.  

A Member sought clarification on the cost to separate Crawley Down Parish Council and Worth Parish Council.

The Business Unit Leader for Democratic Services confirmed there was a considerable disparity in the suggested cost of splitting the two Councils, which as a result informs the recommendation, that Worth Parish Council and the proposers supply to this Review an accurate assessment of division costs with evidential annotations to support these. He confirmed that conversations between Crawley Down and Worth Parish Council were ongoing to obtain this, and he suggested deferring the start of the second part of the consultation by one week, from 6^th June 2022 to 13^th June 2022, to enable the two campaign entities to agree the costs, therefore providing better information for the purpose of the 2^nd public consultation.

The Chairman asked whether this would affect the two-month consultation period. The Business Unit Leader confirmed this would not affect the consultation timeline, publishing the final recommendations on 6^th September for presentation to this Committee on 14^th September.

In response to a Member asking whether there would be staffing costs involved in separating the two Councils, the Business Unite Leader advised there would be an impact depending on staff transferring, potential redundancies and recruitment.

A Member referred to the draft recommendation at point 41 of the report and asked if it were possible that the final recommendation following the second consultation could include a recommendation for two separate Councils and include a reduction in the number of Parish Councillors as part of the process. The Business Unit Leader confirmed that a second consultation with more comprehensive information could indeed affect the final recommendation. He advised Councillor numbers could also be considered as part of the second stage review.

Members discussed the status of the Royal Oak Pub and management of the building. A Member asked if it was an Asset of Community Value. The Business Unit Leader referred to the concerns of both the residents and Councillors noted at paragraph 16 of the report as part of the consultation process, and he confirmed the building was privately owned, so unlikely to be matter that MSDC can assist with.

A Member queried the criteria for separating a Council and the legal guidance involved. The Business Unit Leader advised that Mid Sussex District Council follows l government guidance on the conduct of CGRs and in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

The Chairman confirmed that no other Members wished to speak and took Members to the vote on the recommendations set out at 3.i, 3.iii and 3.iv (p.9) to note the recommendations. This was agreed unanimously with 13 in favour.

The Chairman introduced the recommendation 3.ii (p.9) and proposed amendment to delay the consultation by one week from 6^th June 2022 to 13^th June 2022. The Chairman took Members to the vote on the amendment to 3.ii which was agreed unanimously with 13 in favour.

RESOLVED                                                                                                              

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

(i) Note the findings of the first public consultation.

(ii) To provide advice upon, and further to that advice, to agree the principal electoral authority’s draft recommendations for Worth Parish Council, upon which a second public consultation would be conducted (as amended).

(iii) To note that following the second public consultation, further findings and the final recommendations of the principal electoral authority will be presented to this committee on 14 September 2022.

(iv) To note the final decision will be taken by Council in the light of the consultation responses received through the Community Governance Review

Councillor Gibson returned to the meeting at 7.27pm