Agenda and minutes

None.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 February 2024.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair. 

To review the Terms of Reference for Boundary Review Committee for the 2024/2025 municipal year.

The Service Delivery Manger: Legal & Democracy presented the 2024/2025 municipal year Terms of Reference to the Members of the Boundary Review Committee. This was an annual report that outlined the remit of the Committee and their focus on election Boundary changes, the governance structures of Parish and Town Councils as well as reviewing the Polling Places and stations. Members had no further comments to the Terms of Reference as outlined in Appendix A of the report. Following the update Members voted on the recommendation.

RESOLVED –  that the Terms of Reference set out at Appendix A had been reviewed and agreed for the 2024/2025 municipal year.

To receive the draft recommendations of the Community Governance Review.

The Director: Policy & Governance presented the draft recommendations of the Community Governance Review (CGR) following the consultation period. The report outlined that the CGR followed the Committees initial call for proposals from across the Borough, the work had been undertaken by officers to draft proposals for the future organisation of Town and Parishes across the Borough. The proposals reflected feedback provided from the submissions made to the CGR process and the objectives of the review when it was published, including consideration of the factors set out within the report. Members were asked to confirm the final version of the draft proposals that would be published within the final consultation of the CGR, before the Committee makes their final decision later on in the year. Members were informed that a revised timetable was included within the report that detailed that the review must be completed by 6 September 2024. Since publication of the timetable, there has been feedback from Parish and Town Councils. A representation from Church Aston Parish council has stated concerns that they were not included in the CGR consultation however having looked back it was proposed to merge within another parish but the proposal fell away. A letter was also received from Shropshire Association of Local Councils (SALC) also expressing worries regarding the timetable. It was proposed that due to these concerns, that the deadline to receive public consultations from 16 August 2024 are extended to 4 September 2024 to allow further submissions.  

Members commented on the report expressing concerns of the engagement in the consultation. It was proposed that there are no changes to the current Community Governance Review and a future consultation should take place to enable another review and opportunity for those to respond.

Following the discussions, Members voted on the recommendations.

RESOLVED –  that:

• The draft proposals for the Community Governance Review and the proposed reorganisation of the Town and Parish Councils across the Borough, be noted;
• The proposals (including any amendments put forward and agreed by the Committee) to be put out to a final consultation commencing forthwith, be finalised; and
• The revised final timetable for the conclusion of the Community Governance Review, be agreed.