The Democratic and Electoral Services Manager presented the Community Governance Review Timetable.  A Community Governance Review (CGR) differed significantly from a Local Government Boundary Review (LGBR) in that Maidstone Borough Council was the Principal Authority for the review and therefore, within the bounds of the objectives and legislation, set the timetable and method for the review.

The Community Governance Review needed to be completed within 12 months from the publication of the terms of reference and would need to be completed by November 2023 such that the electoral register could be published in December 2023 with the new districts in place.

It was stressed that consulting the community, including the public, parishes, and councillors was critical to a successful review and engagement had already started with the Kent Association of Local Councils.  The difficulties in the timings and amount of on-going work, including the LGBR, CGR, Parliamentary boundary review, and Election Act 2022 implementation were emphasised.

RESOLVED: That the Community Governance Review timetable (set out in 2.9 of the report) be noted.