Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Mr Sass introduced the report, which advised the Committee of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE’s) decision to go out to consultation on a proposed Council size of 81 Elected Members.   He had made the Commission aware of the County Council’s disappointment at their decision not to delay the start of the consultation until the New Year, especially as updated electoral registers and data on new polling districts were not yet available for the Swale Borough Council area.

Mr Sass informed the Committee that he had sought clarification from the LGBCE regarding the likely success of further representations on a Council size different to 81 Members.  The LGBCE confirmed that any such submission would not be rejected but it would have to contain a significant amount of new evidence on a Council size in excess of 81 for it to be successful.

Comments were made by Members about the lack of data in relation to the Swale area and the disadvantage that this put those who wanted to respond to the consultation in relation to that area.  Mr Hallett suggested that in relation to the Swale area it may be possible to provide ward level data prior to receiving the new polling district data.  The Chairman undertook to write to the Chief Executive of Swale Borough Council expressing concern at the lack of polling district data.

In response to a question from Mr Sass, Members confirmed that they did not wish to hold meeting of this Committee prior to the end of the Phase 1 consultation.

RESOLVED that the progress on the Boundary Review of Kent County Council’s area be noted.