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. The Task and Finish Group has considered the response to the consultation, taking into account all relevant factors, engaged with local ward councillors and existing parish councils before determining these recommendations.

Cabinet is asked to consider the final 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 'B' 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.

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 the Task and Finish Group had considered the response to the consultation, taking into account all relevant factors, engaged with local ward councillors and existing parish councils before determining these recommendations.

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

The Leader expressed thanks to Councillor Walters and the other members of the Task and Finish Group for all their hard work emphasising that the work which had gone into this was huge. Thanks were also expressed to the Head of Democratic Services for all his help and support.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, Councillor Kate Salmon addressed the Cabinet advising that the Board at their one item agenda meeting the previous evening thoroughly debated this item and had heard from speakers from the Association for Town and Parish Councils and Charter Trustees and representations from a large number of councillors following which the Board had agreed the following recommendations: -

The Overview and Scrutiny Board agreed the following recommendations to Cabinet in relation to recommendation a of this item (area references as contained within the Task and Finish Group report provided for clarity):

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

(Majority Decision)

2. That the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group relating to Broadstone (F) be recommended to Council for approval without amendment.

(Majority Decision)

3. That the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group relating to Redhill and Northbourne (G), Boscombe and Pokesdown (H) and Southbourne (I) be recommended to Council for approval without amendment.

(Majority Decision)

4. That the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group relating to Poole Town (J) be recommended to Council for approval without amendment.

(Majority Decision)

5. That the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group relating to Bournemouth Town (K) be recommended to Council for approval without amendment.

(Majority Decision)

In relation to recommendations b and c of the report, that these be recommended to Council for approval without amendment.

In presenting the recommendations the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board highlighted that the voting in respect of the Bournemouth recommendation in particular was very narrow.

Councillor David d’Orton-Gibson addressed the Cabinet highlighting the comments which had arisen following the distribution of leaflets and in social media. In addition, Councillor d’Orton-Gibson spoke of the alternative to hold a referendum to raise council tax and stressed that the Town and Parish Council wouldn’t provide the expected local democracy, particularly with regards to the large town council proposed in Bournemouth.

Councillor Judes Butt addressed the Cabinet urging Cabinet to satisfy themselves that the Gunning Principles had been met and justify the information which had been provided to consultees including full costs, statutory limits and details of viable alternatives.

Councillor Alastair Keddie addressed the Cabinet highlighting that Queens Park and Charminster already had effective community through their very successful Neighbourhood Forum and charity. In relation to this Councillor Keddie expressed concern that a Bournemouth Town Council would not deliver its aims in the local area and urged Cabinet exempting Queens Park and Charminster and consider exempting other already established neighbourhood forum areas.

Councillor Patrick Canavan addressed the Cabinet thanking Councillor Oliver Walters for all his hard work Chairing the Community Governance Review Task and Finish Group, further to this Councillor Canavan advised that whilst Town and Parish Council can add value that it didn’t mean that one was wanted or needed, and that he felt the proposed Bournemouth Town Council was too large and wouldn’t empower communities.

Councillor Chris Rigby addressed the Cabinet expressing his frustration with why we were here and that the review was largely based on financial pressures. In addition, Councillor Rigby highlighted the importance of ensuring our towns were good towns with good facilities. Further to this Councillor Rigby emphasised that the proposed Bournemouth Town Council was too large, and of the requirement for small community led councils.  

Councillor Sharon Carr-Brown addressed the Cabinet advising that there hadn’t been any representations from her ward in support of this, and that there was already a very active neighbourhood forum. Further to this Councillor Carr-Brown also stressed that she felt that the proposed Bournemouth Town Council was too large.

Cabinet members spoke on the item with some members highlighting the benefits of Parish and Town Councils which were felt could help create better and more fulfilling lives in their community providing examples of areas they may fund such as play areas and allotments as was the case with some examples in Christchurch.

Cabinet members also expressed their disappointment with the sharing of misinformation across social media.

Further to this Cabinet members thanked the Chair of the Working Party for all their work and in addition expressed thanks to the Overview and Scrutiny Board for their thorough debate at the previous evenings meeting.

In closing Cabinet were advised of the extensive information which had been published on the councils website.

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)           the Task and Finish Group community governance review final recommendations, as set out in paragraphs 49, 62, 74, 92, 104, 117, 128, 140, 152, 166 and 181 of this report be approved;

(b)           the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to make all necessary reorganisation of community governance orders to implement the changes agreed by Council; and

(c)           the Task and Finish Group continue to consider the transfer of civic and ceremonial assets, statutory services and precept requirements for year 1, for each new parish, on the basis of minimal transfer and precept, and a report be presented to full Council in due course.

Voting: (a) 117, 166, 181 and (c): For:9, Against:1

(a)   49, 62, 74, 92, 104, 128, 140, 152 and (b): Unanimous

Reason

The Task and Finish Group considered the responses to the consultation received during the third stage of the review process and considered all material factors in developing these final proposals. The views of these representations received, along with representations from councillors and advice on what counts as effective and convenient, have helped shape the final recommendations.

The meeting adjourned at 12.27 pm

The meeting reconvened at 12.42pm