MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
General Purposes Group
Minutes of the meeting held on Friday 21 November 2014
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Present: |
Councillor Parvin (Chairman), and Councillors Black, English, Mrs Gooch and P Watson |
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25. Apologies for Absence
It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Mrs Hinder, Mrs Parvin and Vizzard.
26. Notification of Substitute Members
The following substitute members were noted:-
Councillor Black for Councillor Mrs Hinder
Councillor English for Councillor Vizzard
27. Notification of Visiting Members
There were no Visiting Members.
28. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.
29. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
30. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
31. Minutes of the Meeting held on Friday 24 October 2014
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on Friday 24 October 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed.
32. Report of the Head of Finance and Resources - Harrietsham Parish Council Increase in Number of Councillors
The Board considered a report presented by the Head of Finance and Resources which detailed the request of Harrietsham Parish Council for an increase in number of Councillors from nine to eleven.
The report explained that under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 it was the Council’s responsibility to consider whether a Community Governance Review would need to be conducted in order to increase the number of Councillors. The Review would consult the residents of the Parish on an increase. Using the adopted scale provided by the Local Government Boundaries Commission for England it was noted that, with an electorate of 1,608 electors, Harrietsham Parish Council would be eligible to have eleven Councillors. With regard to timescale Members heard that, should they decide to recommend the implementation of a Community Governance Review, this would need to be considered by Council in December in order for changes to be implemented by the next Election in May 2015.
Members noted that the population of Harrietsham had increased and that this was likely to continue in line with future population growth. It was also noted that when the Local Plan is agreed this may impact on the population of electorates in other Parish Councils.
RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to COUNCIL:
That, in accordance with the adopted scale, the request of Harrietsham Parish Council for an increase from nine Councillors to eleven Councillors be accepted and the Council commence the necessary community governance review.
33. Duration of Meeting
10.01 a.m. to 10.10 a.m.