Agenda item

The Director of Law and Democratic Services submitted a report (a) setting out recommendations of the Corporate Governance Review Working Group following its review on 14^th May 2103 of the Council resolution made on 11^th April 2013 regarding the Community Governance Review of Swindon, and (b) seeking authorisation for the necessary Reorganisation Order to be drawn up, to take effect after April 2014 in line with the appropriate parish council electoral cycle.

With the agreement of the Council, Standing Order 10 was suspended during the consideration of this item. 

In moving the recommendations of the Corporate Governance Review Working Group, the Leader of the Council reminded Council that it last considered this issue on 11th April 2013. Subsequent to that decision, the matter had been reviewed by the Working Group, and the Working Group had produced fresh recommendations for consideration by full Council.  The Leader stated that in order to give conscientious consideration to these fresh recommendations, full Council was requested to ignore the previous decision made on 11th April 2013, and look at the fresh recommendations with an open mind and members should feel free to make a different decision from that made on 11th April or to make the same decision, whichever decision they consider appropriate based on the information put before them at the meeting.

Accordingly, Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Brian Mattockseconded that:

            “(1) The decision of the Council (Minute 125(1) 2012/13 of the Council refers) in relation to the creation of a Nythe Parish with a parish council of 7 parish councillors be confirmed with the Parish Council election taking place in May 2015 to coincide with the scheduled election for Stratton St Margaret Parish Council.

            (2) The decision of the Council (Minute 125(1) 2012/13 of the Council refers) in relation to the Headlands Grove area be changed so that there be no alteration to the existing boundary of Stratton St Margaret Parish in the Headlands Grove area, for the reasons set out in the Working Group minutes of the 14^th May 2013.

            (3) The remaining recommendations of the Corporate Governance Review Working Group as presented to the Council on 11th April 2013 be adopted and given effect by the Council.

            (4) In accordance with the requirements set out in Section 96 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, the Director of Law and Democratic Services be authorised to update the Scheme to incorporate these recommendations of the Corporate Governance Working Group and publish the Council’s decision in relation to these recommendations together with the reasons for making this decision, and to take such steps as he considers sufficient to secure that persons who may be interested in the Community Governance Review are informed of that decision.

            (5) The Director of Law and Democratic Services be authorised to:

(i)   prepare, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, a revised scheme and consequential Community Governance Reorganisation Order;

(ii)  seek the agreement of the Local Government  Boundary Commission to any consequential changes to the protected electoral arrangements set out in the Swindon (Electoral Changes) Order 2012, and

(iii) Make and implement the Reorganisation Order.”

            Councillor Jim Grant moved and Councillor Julian Price seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“That:

            (1) Council thanks the members of the Corporate Governance Review Working Group for their recommendations and work on the Community Governance Review.

            (2) Paragraph (1) of the Motion be deleted on the basis that Council believes that the Nythe area should remain as part of the Stratton St. Margaret Parish.”

            The Amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

The Substantive Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(Councillors John Ballman, Ray Ballman, Dale Heenan and Teresa Page made Personal declarations of interest in respect of this item as they lived in the areas affected.)