Community Governance Review - stage 2 - Dunstable

Responses from consultation

Town council: see Appendix C – General Purposes Committee meeting pack

19 responses

Comments:

“Increase by 1 given the density of population especially compared to Dunstable West and Dunstable East which both have 4 town councillors whereas Dunstable South only has 2 town councillors with a similar density of population and area.”

“Too many for each ward.”

“Seem to be too many and they can’t agree with each other.”

“Increase should reflect the increase in residents.”

Feedback received through the public consultation indicated a preference to retain the current level of representation and to make no other changes. 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 Dunstable should remain unchanged
2. that the number of parish councillors on Dunstable Town Council is reduced from 18 to 17
3. move the parish boundary incorporating the land forming part of and also adjacent to the Downside Recreation Ground together with the land occupied by St Mary’s and Manshead Schools from the parish of Caddington into the parish of Dunstable (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. Additionally, the schools are geographically adjacent to Dunstable and some distance from the village of Caddington.