Agenda item

The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (Part 4) devolved power from the Secretary of State to principal councils to carry out community governance reviews and put in place or make changes to local community governance arrangements.

The Council commenced a review following the Council decision in October 2024 at which the terms of reference and timetable were approved.

Cabinet is asked to consider the draft recommendations of the Task and Finish Group and to make a recommendation to Council.

The Chair of the Community Governance Task and Finish Group, Councillor Oliver Walters presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (Part 4) devolved power from the Secretary of State to principal councils to carry out community governance reviews and put in place or make changes to local community governance arrangements.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the Council had commenced a review following the Council decision in October 2024 at which the terms of reference and timetable were approved, and that Cabinet was now asked to consider the draft recommendations of the Task and Finish Group and to make a recommendation to Council.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, Councillor Bartlett addressed the Cabinet advising that the Board at their meeting the previous evening had had a complicated and thorough debate on this item following which the Board had agreed seven recommendations in respect of the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group, these being: -

1.    That the draft recommendations of the Task and Finish Group relating to proposals for Burton and Winkton (A), Hurn (B), Highcliffe & Walkford (C) and Christchurch Town (D) be recommended to Council, for approval for publication and consultation, without amendment.

(Unanimous Decision)

2.    That the draft recommendations of the Task and Finish Group relating to Broadstone (F) and Poole Town (J) be recommended to Council, for approval for publication and consultation, without amendment.

(Majority Decision)

3.    That the draft recommendations of the Task and Finish Group relating to Bournemouth Town (K) not be recommended to Council for approval for publication and consultation.

(Majority Decision)

4.    That the draft recommendations of the Task and Finish Group relating to Southbourne (I)) be recommended to Council, for approval for publication and consultation, without amendment.

(Majority Decision)

5.    That the draft recommendations of the Task and Finish Group relating to Boscombe and Pokesdown (H) be recommended to Council, for approval for publication and consultation, without amendment.

(Majority Decision)

6.    That the draft recommendations of the Task and Finish Group relating to Throop and Holdenhurst (E) be recommended to Council, for approval for publication and consultation, without amendment.

(Majority Decision)

7.    That the draft recommendations of the Task and Finish Group relating to Redhill and Northbourne (G) be recommended to Council, for approval for publication and consultation, without amendment

(Majority Decision)

Members addressed the Cabinet where the following comments were raised: -

·      Support of the removal of (k) Bournemouth Town

·      The importance of the consultation and of the need to ensure communications are balanced

·       Expressions of concern in relation to the drawing of the boundaries particularly with regards to Southbourne and the surrounding areas

The Chair of the Task and Finish Group responded to the comments raised and highlighted in particular the work which will be carried out in regard to the communication of the consultation.

Cabinet members spoke in support of the recommendations as set out in the paper expressing thanks to the Chair of the Task and Finish Group, the members on the group and in particular the Head of Democratic Services for all their hard work on the Community Governance Review.

Further to this Cabinet members thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Board for their through debate on this item.

Cabinet members spoke of the benefit of Town and Parish Councils and highlighted examples in the Christchurch area where this had been demonstrated.

In addition to this Cabinet highlighted the importance of the consultation being carried out well and of communities being able to have their say.

With regards to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Board and in particular recommendation 3 Cabinet felt that it was important to consult on all areas including (k) Bournemouth Town and therefore supported the recommendations as set out by the task and finish group and did not support recommendation 3 as submitted by the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

RECOMMENDED that: -

the Community Governance Review Task and Finish Group draft recommendations, as set out in the scheduleswithin theattached reportbe approvedfor publication and consultation with interested parties.

Voting: Unanimous

Reason

The Task and Finish Group considered the representations received during the first stage of the review process which invited representations from local stakeholders and other interested parties. The views of these representations have helped shape the draft recommendations.