The Chair of the Community Governance Review (CGR) Working Group thanked the Chief Executive, Policy and Communities Manager, the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Project Officer and the members of the working group. He said that LGR would impact local residents’ decision making and Town and Parish Councils could help fill the democratic deficit which was why they were being consulted on the creation of new Town and Parish Councils in those areas currently unparished. The Chair of the CGR Working Group said it was important that non-parished areas had the opportunity to become parishes and the first consultation received a good response. He proposed the recommendations.

In seconding the recommendations, the Leader reserved his right to speak.

Members were invited to make comments which included:

·         Had reservations around some of the boundary changes but would support the recommendations so that residents could respond;

·         urged Members to encourage their residents to respond to the consultation;

·         it was the opportunity for areas to benefit similarly to the good work carried out by Faversham Town Council; and

·         reminded Members the consultation was about what residents wanted, not Members, and residents should be clear of the financial costs.

The Leader encouraged the community to get engaged in the process.

The Chair of the CGR working group confirmed the costs would be made clear.

Resolved:

(1)  That Council approve the following proposals to be included within the second stage CGR consultation:

a)    To change the name of Warden Parish Council to Warden Bay Parish Council

b)   To create a Halfway Parish Council for the currently unparished area of Halfway (Map 1 in appendix 2) with transfer of identified land with Minster-On Sea Parish Council (Map 2 and 3), Queenborough Town Council (Map 3 and 5) and Sheerness Town Council (Map 4)

c)    To expand the boundary of Queenborough Town Council to include the currently unparished area of Halfway (Map 6) with transfer of identified land with Minster on Sea Parish Council and Sheerness Town Council.

d)   To move Lucas Close from Sheerness Town Council area to Queenborough Town Council (Map 7).

e)    To increase the number of councillors representing Watling Ward (Faversham Town Council Ward) from 4 to 6 (3 per ward if split occurs)

f)     To increase the number of councillors representing Priory Ward (Faversham Town Council ward) from 2 to 3.

g)   To split the existing Watling Ward (Faversham Town Council ward) into two (Map 8)

h)   To extend the Watling Ward (Faversham Town Council ward) to encompass Perry Court (Faversham Town Council owned land) from Ospringe Parish Council (Map 9).

i)     To extend Watling Ward (Faversham Town Council ward) to cover area shown in Map 10 currently within Ospringe Parish area.

j)     To extend the boundary of Watling Ward (Faversham Town Council ward) to cover land within Boughton Under Blean Parish Council and Selling Parish Council (Map 11)

k)    To transfer land from Faversham Town Council to Sheldwich Parish Council (Map 12)

l)     To extend Watling Ward (Faversham Town Council ward) to transfer School Farm along Graveney Road, Graveney Road from Graveney with Goodnestone Parish Council (Map 13)

m)  To amend the Iwade Parish Boundary, including that with Bobbing Parish Council (Map 14).

n)   To create a Murston Parish Council (Map 15).

o)   To create a Great Easthall Parish Council (Map 16) moving land from Tonge Parish Council.

p)   To merge the currently unparished area of Great Easthall with Tonge parish council (Map 17).

q)   To create a Kemsley Parish Council (Map 18).

r)    To create a Milton Regis Parish Council (Map 19).

s)    To create a Meads Parish Council (Map 20) moving land from Bobbing Parish Council.

t)     To extend Bobbing Parish Council to encompass all of the unparished area of The Meads (Map 21).

u)   To extend Bobbing Parish Council to encompass all of Grove Park (Map 22).

v)    To create an Urban Sittingbourne Town Council (Map 23) taking merging some land from Tunstall and the remainder of unparished areas.

w)  To create an Urban Sittingbourne Town Council including Grove Park (Map 24).

(2)  That Council agree the adoption of the updated Terms of Reference for the CGR, as shown in appendix 3.