Agenda item

To present the draft recommendations of the Community Governance Review (CGR) Working Group following the Stage 1 consultation and seek approval to publish these for Phase 2 consultation (report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Director – Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer) which presented the draft recommendations of the Community Governance Review (CGR) Working Group following the Stage 1 consultation and sought approval to publish these for the Phase 2 consultation.

Councillor Ashby, Chair of the Community Governance Review Working Group, introduced the report and summarised the outcome of Stage 1 of the review of the unparished area of Spalding, including that:

• The review been approved by Council in November 2025 under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007;

• The review was being undertaken in the context of proposed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), which would remove the District Council tier and require consideration of future local representation for Spalding;
• The Stage 1 consultation, held between February and March 2026, had received 173 responses, with results indicating clear support for the establishment of a Parish Council and a preference for a single council covering the whole town;
• The Working Group therefore recommended the creation of one Parish Council for Spalding, comprising 19 councillors, with 6 parish wards aligned to existing district ward boundaries; and
• A final decision was not being sought at this stage however Council was asked to note the consultation outcomes and approve the draft proposals for publication and progression to Stage 2 consultation.

Members raised the following points:

• Members observed that 173 responses seemed low. The Leader responded that the number of responses received was considered a good level of engagement when compared with similar reviews undertaken elsewhere, where response rates had often been lower

• In response to a question regarding the future of funds held by the Spalding Town Forum, the Leader advised that, subject to Local Government Reorganisation proceeding, a Parish Council for Spalding could be included within any future statutory arrangements. In those circumstances, it was anticipated in principle that funds held by the Spalding Town Forum could transfer to a future Town Council and indicated that Spalding Special Expenses would also be expected to transfer. However, it was noted that this would be subject to timing considerations and further work once the position on reorganisation was confirmed.

• The Chairman of the Council expressed thanks to the Democratic and Electoral Services Officer for the significant amount of work undertaken in supporting the Community Governance Review, which was acknowledged by members.

DECISION:

That Council:

1)    Noted the outcomes of the Stage 1 Consultation; and

2)    Approved the draft recommendations of the CGR Working Group for publication and Stage 2 consultation as listed below:

·         Establish a single parish of Spalding for the unparished area of Spalding;

·         That the Council size for the Parish of Spalding be 19 Councillors, based on national guidance and proportional representation for an electorate of approximately 22,000 (forecast to rise to 23,500 by 2031);

·         That the Parish of Spalding be warded into six wards, aligned with the existing district ward boundaries to ensure clarity and coterminosity, as follows:

·         That the first elections for the proposed new electoral arrangements be in May 2027, aligning with ordinary parish council electoral cycles.