Agenda item

Council is requested to agree the terms of reference for a Community Governance Review in relation to the number of seats on Harwich Town Council.

Councillors I J Henderson, J Henderson, Calver, Fowler, J Brown and B E Brown had each earlier declared an interest in this item insofar as they were members representing Wards in Harwich and Dovercourt and, where applicable, they were also Members of Harwich Town Council.

Councillors Talbot and White each earlier declared an interest in this item insofar as they were the members representing the St Osyth and Point Clear Ward and also they were also Members of St Osyth Parish Council.

Council recalled that, at its meeting held on 21 November 2017 (Minute 93 referred) it had been agreed that:-

“a) the terms of reference attached at Appendix A to item A.5 of the Report of the Head of Leadership Support and Community, for a Community Governance Review for the land in the St Osyth District Council area but not in the St Osyth parish area, be agreed and that this Community Governance Review be now commenced;

b) a Community Governance Review of the number of seats on Harwich Town Council be undertaken and that terms of reference be brought back to the next Council meeting for approval;

c) no Community Governance Review be taken forward at this time for the following Town / Parish Councils: Bradfield, Brightlingsea, Frinton and Walton, Great Bromley, Manningtree, Mistley, Thorrington, Weeley and Wix;

d) a Community Governance Review to merge Lawford, Manningtree and Mistley Parish Councils be undertaken only if all three parish councils ask for one; and

e) Community Governance Reviews for areas of the Tendring District not mentioned in a) to d) above be further considered by the Electoral Review Working Group following the receipt of further information and that their recommendations be brought to a future Council meeting.”

It was reported that, in accordance with resolution b) above, terms of reference for a review of the number of seats on Harwich Town Council had been considered by three members of the Electoral Review Working Group on 8 January 2018 and subsequently circulated to all Members of the Working Group for agreement.

Members were informed that the timetable for both the St Osyth and Harwich Community Governance Reviews was as follows:-

Council was informed that consultation would take place by way of letters to the households in the area under review and to Harwich Town and St Osyth Parish Councils and through the Council’s website and a press release.

Members were advised that, in relation to resolution e) above, further information was being gathered and would be presented to a future meeting of the Working Group.

Councillor I J Henderson addressed the Council on the subject matter of this item.

Having considered the Working Group’s conclusions, it was moved by Councillor Honeywood, seconded by Councillor Bray and:

RESOLVED that the terms of reference attached at Appendix A to item A.5 of the Report of the Head of Leadership Support and Community, for a Community Governance Review for the number of seats on Harwich Town Council, be approved.