Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no substitute members appointed.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 1 March 2018 (to follow).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 1 March 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

The Director of Governance advised that officers had identified the areas in the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) consultation document that asked for further comments and had drafted suggested responses for members to consider.

Councillor K E Morris stated that the Committee would work through each area in turn.

Eastry Rural, Little Stour & Ashstone and Sandwich

Councillor M R Eddy advised that the area of coastal Sholden wasn’t part of what was usually considered by the Golf Road area. It was suggested that the response be amended to refer to it as the area north of Golf Road instead.

RESOLVED:  That it be recommended to Council:

                        (a)   That the Council supports the proposed pattern for the Eastry Rural, Little Stour and Ashstone and Sandwich Wards.

                        (b)   That the Council supports the proposal to include the housing around Hyton Drive and Church Meadows within the proposed Middle Deal Ward as the area is connected by road to the Middle Deal Ward and access to the remainder of Sholden would be by footpaths or driving through another ward.

(c)   That the Council supports the proposal to include the area to the north of Golf Road to the east of the railway line within the North Deal Ward as the area is connected by road to the North Deal Ward and access to the remainder of Sholden would also be by footpaths or driving through another ward.

Deal and Walmer

There were no specific questions asked as part of the consultation for these wards. The Director of Governance suggested that if Members had no objection to the proposals that a response be made to the LGBCE supporting the proposed ward pattern for Deal and Walmer.

RESOLVED:  That it be recommended to Council that it supports the proposed pattern for the Mill Hill, Middle Deal, North Deal and Walmer Wards.

Guston and St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe, Kingsdown Rural and Whitfield

There were no specific questions asked as part of the consultation for these wards. The Director of Governance suggested that if Members had no objection to the proposals that a response be made to the LGBCE supporting the proposed ward pattern for these wards.

RESOLVED:  That it be recommended to Council that it supports the proposed pattern for the Guston and St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe, Kingsdown Rural and Whitfield Wards.

Aylesham and Eythorne

The Director of Governance advised that the proposed consultation response was to include the southern population centre of Shepherdswell within the ward name.

RESOLVED:  That it be recommended to Council:

                        (a)   That the Council supports the proposed pattern for these wards as it provides for strong electoral equality and maintains community cohesion by not splitting communities.

                               The Council also recognises that the 0% variance for the Aylesham and Eythorne Ward allows for future housing growth beyond 2023.

(b)   There are three main communities within this proposed ward - Aylesham, Eythorne and Shepherdswell. Although the desire to keep ward names reasonably concise is recognised, it is recommended to Council that the community in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.