Community Governance Review - stage 2 - Westoning

Responses from consultation

Parish council: No proposal received

7 responses

Comments:

“It makes no sense that Lovett Green/Close is part of Westoning Parish - it should be part of Harlington or Gravenhurst Parish.”

“8 - the council can’t fill the current number of 10.”

“Westoning Council is completely undemocratic, never having had an election. It is perceived as a clique and they ask those that they favour and are like minded to join. There is no sense of community fostered by the parish council, there is no village newsletter for example, each organisation is preparing its own flyers for the new houses as there is no newsletter or website of activities within the village.”

Feedback received through the public consultation was mixed in relation to the current level of representation and to the parish boundaries. This view has been considered alongside the working group’s rationale to ensure that any final draft recommendation reflects the aims of the terms of reference as well as the views of the community.

Draft recommendations

1. that the parish name of Westoning should remain unchanged
2. that the number of parish councillors on Westoning Parish Council are reduced from 10 to 7
3. to move the area of Lovett Green into Harlington Parish (see map)
4. that the parish boundary is moved to accommodate the property Brunswick House to the parish of Westoning (see map)

Reason for recommendations

The recommendation to reduce the number of councillors is made in accordance with the terms of reference due to the number of councillors being disproportionate to the electorate or to avoid uncontested elections and the subsequent need to co-opt members to fill the outstanding vacancies. The boundary changes also provide the opportunity to ensure effective and convenient local government.