Agenda item

Councillor Mark Whittington presented a report which provided Full Council with an update on the outcome of the consultation undertaken in respect of a Community Governance Review for Grantham and set out recommendations from the Community Governance Review Working Group.

The public consultation began on 11 March and closed on 22 April 2022, the aim of which was to gauge public support for the establishment of a new Parish or Town Council for Grantham and obtain views on the boundary and electoral arrangements should a new Council be established. During the initial consultation, an information document and printed survey together with an accompanying letter was sent to a total of 23,201 residential properties within the unparished area of Grantham and the neighbouring parishes of Barrowby, Belton and Manthorpe, Great Gonerby, Harlaxton, Little Ponton and Stroxton and Londonthorpe and Harrowby Without. Statutory consultees were also provided with the opportunity to respond and an online version of the survey could also be completed.

A detailed analysis of the responses received to the consultation were set out at Appendix 3 of the report, which were reviewed by the Community Governance Working Group at its meeting on 29 April 2022. There was clear indication of support for the creation of a Parish or Town Council for Grantham and the Working Group unanimously agreed to recommend to Full Council that a Parish Council be created for Grantham, in principle.

The Working Group noted that responses to the questions relating to the boundary of any new Council with neighbouring parishes were much less clear and felt that it was not at the present time in a position to make a recommendation to Full Council. There was therefore further discussion and consideration to take place, particularly in respect of growth areas on the periphery of the currently unparished area of Grantham.

Councillor Whittington therefore proposed the recommendations contained within the report, which sought approval of option 1 contained within the report to agree in principle of the establishment of a Parish Council for Grantham, subject to undertaking further consultation with residents of neighbouring parishes and Parish Councils to consider the boundary.

The proposition was seconded, further to which the following points were noted in debating the motion:

·       The meeting of the Community Governance Working Group on 29 April 2022 was a very productive meeting and demonstrated very good cross-party working

·       There was further work to do in respect of consultation with parishes, which would be the main challenge in reaching a resolution with regard to the boundary

·       This represented an exciting moment for Grantham and would provide a voice and identify for the town, particularly on important matters such as planning

·       Aiming for implementation of a new Parish or Town Council for Grantham in May 2024 was more realistic, giving sufficient time for the additional consultation that was required

Councillor Whittington, at this stage of proceedings, highlighted that he was a Member of Barrowby Parish Council.

Having been proposed and seconded, upon being put to the vote the proposition was AGREED.

DECISION:

That Full Council:

1.    Approves option 1 as set out in the report to agree in principle with the recommendations of the Community Governance Review Working Group for the establishment of a Parish Council for Grantham, subject to undertaking further consultation with residents of neighbouring parishes and Parish Councils to consider the boundary.

2.    Notes that the Community Governance Review Working Group will reconsider the Terms of Reference in relation to the timeline for the review, consider the format and process for the next stage of the consultation in relation to the boundary and develop draft proposals for consideration by Full Council at a future meeting.