Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)    a Community Governance Review be conducted, in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007;

(b)    the timetable and Terms of Reference for the Review, as set out at Appendix 1 to this report, be approved;

(c)    the Director of Law and Governance and Head of Democratic Services be authorised to take all necessary steps in relation to the Review; and

(d)    a Working Group be appointed to consider the Review and make recommendations to the Council comprising a total of 10 councillors, with a composition as set out in paragraph 18 to this report.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl presented the report on the Community Governance Review of BCP Council area and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Council were advised of the background and process of a Community Governance Review following which comprehensive discussion took place on the item.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           a Community Governance Review be conducted, in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007;

(b)           the timetable and Terms of Reference for the Review, as set out at Appendix 1 to this report, be approved;

(c)           the Director of Law and Governance and Head of Democratic Services be authorised to take all necessary steps in relation to the Review; and

(d)           a Working Group be appointed to consider the Review and make recommendations to the Council comprising a total of 10 councillors, with a composition as set out in paragraph 18 to this report.

Voting: For:44, Against:1, Abstentions:10

A community governance review examines the governance arrangements of unparished areas and existing parishes within the area defined for review seeking to ensure that the arrangements are reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area. This report proposes that in this case the area under review should include the whole of the BCP Council area.

In undertaking the Review, BCP Council will comply with the requirements of Part 4 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and other relevant legislation, and have regard to Guidance on Community Governance Reviews issued in accordance with section 100(4) of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 by the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England in March 2010.

The Leader of the Council presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'I' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that a community governance review examines the governance arrangements of unparished areas and existing parishes within the area defined for review seeking to ensure that the arrangements are reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area, and that the report proposed that in this case the area under review should include the whole of the BCP Council area.

Cabinet was informed that in undertaking the Review, BCP Council will comply with the requirements of Part 4 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and other relevant legislation, and have regard to Guidance on Community Governance Reviews issued in accordance with section 100(4) of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 by the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England in March 2010.

Members addressed the Cabinet highlighting the misunderstanding by some members of the public as to what a Community Governance Review is and of the importance of informing people properly when conducting the review.

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)        a Community Governance Review be conducted, in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007;

(b)        the timetable and Terms of Reference for the Review, as set out at Appendix 1 to this report, be approved;

(c)        the Director of Law and Governance and Head of Democratic Services be authorised to take all necessary steps in relation to the Review;

(d)        a Working Group be appointed to consider the Review and make recommendations to the Council comprising a total of 10 councillors, with a composition as set out in paragraph 18 to this report.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

To comply with the requirements of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 to formally commence a community governance review.