Community Governance Review - stage 2 - Harlington

Responses from consultation

Parish council: no proposal received

3 responses

Comments:

“In general, the boundary is suitable. However, there is a curious ‘panhandle’ at the north-eastern end of the parish. It is appropriate that Mill End is included in Harlington, but why the extension to the north-east? And the Lovett Green development off the Barton Road surely belongs in Harlington with the rest of Mill End. It's currently in Westoning Parish, but you have to drive through Harlington and on for another 3 miles to get from Lovett Green to Westoning village.”

“There are always unfilled seats, so by reducing the number it will create more competition for those seats.”

“Our parish council is continually short of councillors. This is not good for local democracy, as elections are not contested and some councillors are co-opted. What can be done to encourage more people to put themselves forward?”

Feedback received through the public consultation was mixed in relation to the number of councillors and the boundaries. These views have been considered alongside the working group’s rationale to ensure that any final draft recommendation reflects the aims of the terms of reference and the views of the community.

Draft recommendations

1. that the parish name of Harlington should remain unchanged
2. that the number of parish councillors on Harlington Parish Council is reduced from 12 to 9
3. redraw the boundary to include Lovett Green (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 re-draw parish boundaries that have become anomalous to ensure effective and convenient local government.