Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Malcolm Allan) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposed arrangements for the boundaries of area committees for the 2023/24 municipal year following the introduction of new warding patterns in the borough as a result of a review of the council’s current electoral arrangements by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the adoption of the arrangements for area committees, as identified in Section 3.5 of the report and illustrated in the plan attached at Appendix 2, subject to an item being included within the Constitution Working’s Party’s work programme for 2023/24 to give further consideration to this matter, including scope for a possible radical realignment of area committee boundaries.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has undertaken a review of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns, to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of the borough’s new warding arrangements is that the existing boundaries of the council’s seven area committees are no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the council must therefore establish new arrangements.

NOTE: The comments of Area Committee will be submitted as a separate addendum to the report once the meetings met to consider the report.

The Cabinet is requested to make a recommendation to the Council Meeting on the boundaries of area committees for the 2023/24 municipal year.

Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Malcolm Allan) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposed arrangements for the boundaries of Area Committee for the 2023/24 municipal year following a review of the warding arrangements for the borough undertaken by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

RESOLVED - That the Council Meeting be recommended to give approval to the adoption of the arrangements for area committees, as identified in Section 3.5 of the report, subject to an item being included within the Constitution Working’s Party’s work programme for 2023/24 to give further consideration to this matter, including scope for a possible radical realignment of area committee boundaries.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has undertaken a review of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns, to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of the borough’s new warding arrangements is that the existing boundaries of the council’s seven area committees are no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider the revised boundaries for area committees and to make a recommendation for consideration by the Cabinet prior to a final decision being made by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023.

Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s review of the Council’s electoral arrangements and recommendations for new warding patterns to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of those new warding arrangement was that the existing boundaries of the Council’s seven area committees were no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be in place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the Council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         It was noted that the current proposal was relatively minor, however there were discussions for a wider review in the next municipal year which was considered timely and a sensible approach.

·         It was commented that the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee boundary was suitable for the area.

·         It was commented that other boundaries including the NHS, police and neighbourhood areas should be taken into account when making decisions in relation to Area Committee boundaries.

·         It was noted that the Area Committee boundaries had not been reviewed in a number of years.

·         It was commented that Stockport was the first authority within Greater Manchester to establish a system of area governance with the aim to facilitate decision making at a more local level.

·         It was felt that whilst the proposal did not have significant implications for Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee, it did for other Area Committee’s and so welcomed individual consultation prior to a decision being taken.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations contained within the report be endorsed.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has undertaken a review of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns, to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of the borough’s new warding arrangements is that the existing boundaries of the council’s seven area committees are no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider the revised boundaries for area committees and to make a recommendation for consideration by the Cabinet prior to a final decision being made by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023.

Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which proposed new warding patterns to be used from the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

It was commented that a significant amount of work had gone into developing the proposals and members expressed their thanks to the officers for their hard work to date.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet be recommended to adopt the revised boundaries for Area Committees as per the report.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has undertaken a review of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns, to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of the borough’s new warding arrangements is that the existing boundaries of the council’s seven area committees are no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider the revised boundaries for area committees and to make a recommendation for consideration by the Cabinet prior to a final decision being made by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023.

Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s review of the Council’s electoral arrangements and recommendations for new warding patterns to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of those new warding arrangement was that the existing boundaries of the Council’s seven area committees were no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be in place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the Council must therefore establish new arrangements.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations contained within the report be endorsed.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has undertaken a review of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns, to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of the borough’s new warding arrangements is that the existing boundaries of the council’s seven area committees are no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider the revised boundaries for area committees and to make a recommendation for consideration by the Cabinet prior to a final decision being made by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023.

Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s review of the Council’s electoral arrangements and recommendations for new warding patterns to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of those new warding arrangement was that the existing boundaries of the Council’s seven area committees were no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be in place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the Council must therefore establish new arrangements.

It was noted that a suggestion had previously been made that Marple and Werneth area committees could be amalgamated.  It was stated that while this would represent an area committee that would be roughly commensurate in population to other four ward area committees in the borough, it would be geographically difficult to manage as it would include the three largest wards in the borough.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the revised boundaries for area committees as detailed in Section 3.5 of the report.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has undertaken a review of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns, to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of the borough’s new warding arrangements is that the existing boundaries of the council’s seven area committees are no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider the revised boundaries for area committees and to make a recommendation for consideration by the Cabinet prior to a final decision being made by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023.

Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which proposed new warding patterns to be used from the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.  

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         It was felt that the proposals for minimal change were logical and sensible.

·         Further, that maintaining an Area Committee of three wards was important.

·         It was felt that the Cheadle Area Committee covered a cohesive and interrelated area that should remain, as closely as possible, as it currently was.

·         It was suggested that consideration be given to the arrangements for the management of the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet be recommended to adopt the revised boundaries for Area Committees as per the report.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has undertaken a review of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns, to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of the borough’s new warding arrangements is that the existing boundaries of the council’s seven area committees are no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider the revised boundaries for area committees and to make a recommendation for consideration by the Cabinet prior to a final decision being made by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023.

Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s review of the Council’s electoral arrangements and recommendations for new warding patterns to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of those new warding arrangement was that the existing boundaries of the Council’s seven area committees were no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be in place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the Council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         It was noted that there was an error in the map contained within the appendix as the Davenport & Cale Green ward was not named.

·         It was commented that there was only a small change applicable to the Stepping Hill Area Committee boundaries.

·         Members noted the relative size of the Area Committee boundaries and that some Area Committees encompassed two wards, and others four.

·         It was commented that there had been discussions to review the function and composition which was welcomed.

·         It was commented that whilst a review was welcomed, residents needed to relate to the area of community within the boundaries.

·         It was felt that there would be problems in relation to police coverage around the Norbury & Woodsmoor ward which were covered by different neighbourhood policing teams.

·         In considering changes to Area Committee boundaries, it was requested that Cabinet take account of the potential for greater alignment with other boundaries including the NHS and police.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations contained within the report be endorsed.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has undertaken a review of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns, to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of the borough’s new warding arrangements is that the existing boundaries of the council’s seven area committees are no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider the revised boundaries for area committees and to make a recommendation for consideration by the Cabinet prior to a final decision being made by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023.

Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

(NOTE: The Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 to ensure that the area committee was able to provide input into the review of area committee boundaries in advance of the decision being taken by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023).

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s review of the Council’s electoral arrangements and recommendations for new warding patterns to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of those new warding arrangement was that the existing boundaries of the Council’s seven area committees were no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be in place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the Council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         It was noted that the proposals within the report represented a minimal change scenario for the 2023/24 municipal year, however a further review would take place to consider the potential for alternative locality models;

·         The current boundaries for the Werneth Area Committee had served the local community well, allowing both local residents access to the Committee and members the opportunity to represent their community. The geography of Werneth area lended itself to the Area Committee retaining its current boundaries;

·         Area Committees were a powerful way of keeping democracy in the local community by allowing decisions to be made close to the people that they affect;

·         It was commented that the current boundaries of the Werneth Area Committee roughly aligned with the area of the former Bredbury & Romiley Urban District Council representing historical continuity of local decision-making and representation.

·         Any radical changes to the boundary of Werneth Area Committee would be strongly opposed.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the revised boundaries for area committees as detailed in Section 3.5 of the report.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has undertaken a review of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns, to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of the borough’s new warding arrangements is that the existing boundaries of the council’s seven area committees are no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to consider the revised boundaries for area committees and to make a recommendation for consideration by area committees and the Cabinet prior to a final decision being made by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023.

Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out the review undertaken by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance, Vicki Bates, attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Concern was expressed about the new ward boundaries, for example residents of Heald Green were up to two miles from the location of the Area Committee and would need to cross a busy road to attend.

·         It was noted that some population sizes of wards had increased.

·         It was suggested that ward boundaries be aligned with partner organisation boundaries such as the local police and fire services in order to improve joint working.

·         Members were advised that the Area Committee boundaries report would be submitted for consideration and comment at Area Committee meetings and thereafter, the Cabinet, prior to a decision being made by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance.

The report details proposals for revised boundaries for area committees in light of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s review of the council’s electoral arrangements and recommended new warding patterns.

The Constitution Working Party is recommended to consider the revised boundaries for area committees and to make a recommendation for consideration by area committees; the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee; and the Cabinet prior to a final decision being made by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates 0161 474 3219 | vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the proposals for revised boundaries for area committees in light of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s review of the council’s electoral arrangements and recommended new warding patterns.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         It was suggested that the current area committee arrangements worked well and the ‘minimal change’ approach identified at section 3.5 of the report seemed a sensible approach.

·         There would be an opportunity for area committees to comment on their view of the existing arrangements within their area.

·         The current number of area committees was appropriate.

·         It was commented that the current area committee boundaries were an administrative arrangement that in some cases did not represent a defined community of interest. In this context, it would be appropriate to consider alternative clusters of wards that might more adequately serve this purpose than the aim of imperfectly aiming to align with communities.

·         There was potential for greater alignment with other locality boundaries including the NHS and police.

·         Any proposals for significant realignment would need to recognise any resource implications through, for example, an increase in the number of area committees.

·         It was noted that there was a disparity in the size of area committees, ranging from 2 to 4 wards per area committee. It was suggested that there may be an opportunity to reduce this disparity though either merging some areas, such as the Marple and Werneth area or alternatively dividing the borough evenly into seven 3-ward area committees.

·         Members representing the Cheadle Area Committee stated that they felt that it represented a cohesive and interrelated area, notwithstanding its size. There was the potential to give consideration to radically redesigning area committee boundaries and what area committees were designed to do.

·         Area committees perform an important function and took decisions that affected the lives of residents.

·         Consideration needed to be given to the need to retain certain wards as clusters within area committees because of the cross-boundary nature of the communities within them.

RESOLVED - That the Council Meeting be recommended to give approval to the adoption of the arrangement for area committees, as identified in Section 3.5 of the report, subject to an item being included within the Working Party’s work programme for 2023/ 2024 to give further consideration to this matter, including scope for a possible radical realignment of area committee boundaries.