Agenda item

** Please note that due to the size of the documents, the appendices to this report have been published as a supplement to the main agenda **

Report of Chief Executive

Purpose of report

To update Council on the outcome of the stage two consultation that was held between 4 July and 23 September 2022; to delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to complete the required legal order; to update Members on the upcoming Oxfordshire County boundary review being carried out by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, and the ongoing Parliamentary Boundary Review.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To approve a change in the boundary between Ambrosden and Blackthorn for area A, as shown by the dotted black line on map 1.

1.2       To approve a change in the next ordinary year of elections for Ambrosden and Blackthorn parish councils, bringing them forward to 2023.

1.3       To approve a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area F1, as shown by the dotted black line on map 2, to take effect in May 2024.

1.4      To agree that Merlin Close remain in Bodicote.

1.5       To approve a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area F, as shown by the dotted black line in the inset box on map 3, to take effect in May 2024.

1.6       To approve a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area E, as shown by the dotted black line on map 3, to take effect in May 2024.

1.7       To approve a change in the boundary between Drayton and Banbury for area D, as shown by the dotted black line on map 4, to take effect in May 2024. 

1.8       To approve a change in the boundary between Drayton and Banbury for area C, as shown by the dotted black line on map 4, to take effect in May 2024.

1.9         To approve an increase in the number of Banbury Town Councillors by one, to be allocated to the Hardwick West Town Ward, to take effect in May 2024. 

1.10       To approve a Banbury-only Community Governance Review to take place after the County boundary review has concluded, in advance of the 2028 local elections.

1.11       To approve a change in the boundary between Bicester, Ambrosden, Blackthorn and Launton for area L, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 5, to take effect in May 2023.

1.12       To approve a change in the next ordinary year of election for Launton Parish Council, bringing them forward to May 2023.  

1.13       To approve a change in the boundary between Chesterton and Bucknell for areas G and H, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 6, to take effect in May 2023.

1.14       To approve a change in the boundary between Bicester and Bucknell for area I, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 6, to take effect in May 2023.

1.15       To approve a change in the boundary between Hanwell and Horley for area O, as shown by the dotted black line on map 7.

1.16       To approve a change in the boundary between Horley and Wroxton for area N, as shown by the dotted black line on map 7.

1.17       To approve an increase of one parish councillor for Begbroke Parish Council, increasing from six to seven, taking effect in May 2023.

1.18         To approve an increase of two parish councillors for Chesterton Parish Council, increasing from seven to nine, taking effect in May 2023.

1.19         To approve an increase of one parish councillor for Somerton Parish Council, increasing from five to six, taking effect in May 2023.

1.20         To delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Working Group, to prepare and finalise the required Reorganisation Order to implement approved recommendations.

1.21         To approve an extension of the Terms of Reference of the Working Group to cover the County boundary review, and delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Working Group, to consider and draft a response to the LGBCE consultations at the relevant times.

1.22         To note the update on the Parliamentary Boundary Review.

Resolved

(1)           That a change in the boundary between Ambrosden and Blackthorn for area A, as shown by the dotted black line on map 1 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)            That a change in the next ordinary year of elections for Ambrosden and Blackthorn parish councils, bringing them forward to 2023, be approved.

(3)           That  a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area F1, as shown by the dotted black line on map 2 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(4)           That it be agreed that  Merlin Close remain in Bodicote.

(5)           That a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area F, as shown by the dotted black line in the inset box on map 3 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(6)           That a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area E, as shown by the dotted black line on map 3 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(7)           That  a change in the boundary between Drayton and Banbury for area D, as shown by the dotted black line on map 4 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(8)           That a change in the boundary between Drayton and Banbury for area C, as shown by the dotted black line on map 4 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(9)           That  an increase in the number of Banbury Town Councillors by one, to be allocated to the Hardwick West Town Ward, to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(10)        That it be agreed that a Banbury-only Community Governance Review take place after the Oxfordshire County Council boundary review has concluded and in advance of the 2028 local elections.

(11)        That a change in the boundary between Bicester, Ambrosden, Blackthorn and Launton for area L, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 5 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2023 be approved.

(12)        That a change in the next ordinary year of election for Launton Parish Council, bringing them forward to May 2023 be approved.

(13)        That a change in the boundary between Chesterton and Bucknell for areas G and H, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 6 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2023, be approved.

(14)        That a change in the boundary between Bicester and Bucknell for area I, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 6 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book),  to take effect in May 2023, be approved.

(15)        That a change in the boundary between Hanwell and Horley for area O, as shown by the dotted black line on map 7 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(16)        That a change in the boundary between Horley and Wroxton for area N, as shown by the dotted black line on map 7 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(17)        That an increase of one parish councillor for Begbroke Parish Council, increasing from six to seven, taking effect in May 2023, be approved.

(18)        That an increase of two parish councillors for Chesterton Parish Council, increasing from seven to nine, taking effect in May 2023, be approved.

(19)        That an increase of one parish councillor for Somerton Parish Council, increasing from five to six, taking effect in May 2023, be approved.

(20)        That  authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Working Group, to prepare and finalise the required Reorganisation Order to implement approved recommendations.

(21)        That an extension of the Terms of Reference of the Working Group to cover the Oxfordshire County Council boundary review be approved, and authority delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Working Group, to consider and draft a response to the LGBCE consultations at the relevant times.

(22)        That the update on the Parliamentary Boundary Review be noted.

The Chief Executive submitted a report to update Council on the outcome of the Community Governance Review (CGR) stage two consultation that was held between 4 July and 23 September 2022; to delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to complete the required legal order; to update Members on the upcoming Oxfordshire County boundary review being carried out by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, and the ongoing Parliamentary Boundary Review.

Prior to Council debating the report, Parish Councillor Caroline Elmitt on behalf of Bodicote Parish Council, addressed Council in relation to the recommendation 1.3 of the working group’s report regarding the boundary change between Banbury and Bodicote.

In introducing the report and proposing the recommendations, Councillor Mallon, Chairman of the CGR Working Group, proposed that a separate vote be taken on recommendation 1.3. This was duly seconded by Councillor Beere, Vice-Chairman of the CGR Working Group.

At the discretion of the Chairman, the Interim Monitoring Officer addressed Council and reminded Council that this was a quasi-judicial decision, gave advice on decision making and advised that in reaching their decision, Members should give consideration to the most effective and convenient governance for each area of the review.

In the course of the debate, it was proposed by Councillor Hingley and seconded by Councillor Middleton that a recorded vote be taken on recommendation 1.3.

Council voted on all recommendations excluding recommendation 1.3 en bloc. A recorded vote having been proposed and seconded, a recorded vote was duly taken on recommendation 1.3 and Members voted as follows.

The vote on recommendation 1.3 was carried.

Resolved

(1)          That a change in the boundary between Ambrosden and Blackthorn for area A, as shown by the dotted black line on map 1 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)           That a change in the next ordinary year of elections for Ambrosden and Blackthorn parish councils, bringing them forward to 2023, be approved.

(3)          That  a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area F1, as shown by the dotted black line on map 2 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(4)          That it be agreed that  Merlin Close remain in Bodicote.

(5)          That a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area F, as shown by the dotted black line in the inset box on map 3 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(6)          That a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area E, as shown by the dotted black line on map 3 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(7)          That  a change in the boundary between Drayton and Banbury for area D, as shown by the dotted black line on map 4 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(8)          That a change in the boundary between Drayton and Banbury for area C, as shown by the dotted black line on map 4 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(9)          That  an increase in the number of Banbury Town Councillors by one, to be allocated to the Hardwick West Town Ward, to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(10)       That it be agreed that a Banbury-only Community Governance Review take place after the Oxfordshire County Council boundary review has concluded and in advance of the 2028 local elections.

(11)       That a change in the boundary between Bicester, Ambrosden, Blackthorn and Launton for area L, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 5 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2023 be approved.

(12)       That a change in the next ordinary year of election for Launton Parish Council, bringing them forward to May 2023 be approved.

(13)       That a change in the boundary between Chesterton and Bucknell for areas G and H, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 6 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2023, be approved.

(14)       That a change in the boundary between Bicester and Bucknell for area I, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 6 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book),  to take effect in May 2023, be approved.

(15)       That a change in the boundary between Hanwell and Horley for area O, as shown by the dotted black line on map 7 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(16)       That a change in the boundary between Horley and Wroxton for area N, as shown by the dotted black line on map 7 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(17)       That an increase of one parish councillor for Begbroke Parish Council, increasing from six to seven, taking effect in May 2023, be approved.

(18)       That an increase of two parish councillors for Chesterton Parish Council, increasing from seven to nine, taking effect in May 2023, be approved.

(19)       That an increase of one parish councillor for Somerton Parish Council, increasing from five to six, taking effect in May 2023, be approved.

(20)       That  authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Working Group, to prepare and finalise the required Reorganisation Order to implement approved recommendations.

(21)       That an extension of the Terms of Reference of the Working Group to cover the Oxfordshire County Council boundary review be approved, and authority delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Working Group, to consider and draft a response to the LGBCE consultations at the relevant times.

(22)       That the update on the Parliamentary Boundary Review be noted.