Issue - meetings

Purpose:       The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales have published their Electoral reviews: Policy and practice which sets out how they will be reviewing all 22 principal councils in time for the 2022 council elections – the report of the chief executive provides opportunity for Members to consider the review proposals and process.

That the revised Policy and Practice Document and the timing of the review for the County of Flintshire, as stated above, be noted. 

The Chief Officer (Governance) provided background information to the report.  He advised that in June 2016 the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government published a Written Statement asking the Commission to restart its 10 year electoral review programme with a new prioritised timetable.  The Cabinet Secretary requested that all 22 electoral reviews be completed in time for the new arrangements to be put in place for the 2022 Local Government Elections. 

The Chief Officer explained that the Commission had adopted consistent methodology and principles to determine the number of elected members which were appropriate for each Council and this was detailed in appendix 2 of the report.  It was also intended to carry out a periodic electoral review of every Council to ensure ward boundaries were correct in terms of past and proposed development.  The Chief Officer informed that the councillor to population ratio in Flintshire was 1:3000 and the ‘target’ number of councillors determined for Flintshire was 63.  The Commission’s review of the County of Flintshire would commence in Quarter 4, 2018, and conclude in Quarter 2, 2020.  The Chief Officer explained that the Council and Councillors would have the opportunity to feed into the review whilst it was underway and to comment on proposals before they were finalised.

The Chief Executive commented that this was the first formal recognition of the Minister’s commitment for current Councils to have at least 10 years of renewed terms. There would be a full review process with ample opportunity for comment and for the principles to be tested to follow.

Councillor Billy Mullin moved the recommendation in the report which was duly seconded.

Councillor Gareth Roberts commented on the concerns which had been raised following previous consideration of the boundary commission review around how the ratio of 1:3000 was determined. 

Councillor Owen Thomas expressed concerns regarding the proposed size of boundaries and the increase in workload for Councillors as a result.

RESOLVED:

That the revised Policy and Practice Document and the timing of the review for the County of Flintshire, as stated above, be noted.