Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee in respect of warding proposals for Cheshire East as part an electoral review of Cheshire East Council’s electoral arrangements by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

The Corporate Policy Committee, at its meeting on 13 February 2024, had considered the report and recommendations of the Electoral Review Sub Committee and had made recommendations to Council, as set out on page 767 of the agenda pack.

The recommendations were proposed and seconded.  During the debate two amendments was proposed and seconded.

Amendment 1

“To amend the draft proposals for the Macclesfield Warding as set out in Appendix 1 to Agenda item 12 to replace the proposals for Macclesfield by those detailed in the Macclesfield Warding Option 1 paper as supported by the majority of Macclesfield members.”

The amendment was put go the vote and declared lost.

Amendment 2

“That Council agrees to delete from its Warding Submission, existing references to the proposed transfer of the Bluebell Green estate and changes these proposals so that the Bluebell Green area of Brereton parish will be included in Brereton ward, instead of Dane Valley ward.”

The amendment was put to the vote and declared won.  This then became part of the substantive motion.

RESOLVED:   That Council

1               approve the proposals for the future warding of Cheshire East, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, as the Council’s submission to the Boundary Commission, with the following amendments: -

·       that the “Wilmslow East” ward name be changed to “Wilmslow East and Dean Row” to retain the identity of Dean Row

·       that existing references to the proposed transfer of the Bluebell Green estate are deleted and that the proposals be changed so that the Bluebell Green area of Brereton parish will be included in Brereton ward, instead of Dane Valley ward.

2               that the Electoral Review Sub Committee be granted delegated authority:

(a)   to make any further changes to the proposals arising from the Council meeting on 27 February, or which become necessary after that meeting; and

(b)  to respond on the Council’s behalf to any further informal or formal consultation by the Boundary Commission which relates to the second period of consultation.

Post Meeting Note: Final submitted proposals to the Local Government Boundary Commission - Warding Proposals

To consider the recommendations of the Electoral Review Sub-Committee in respect of warding proposals for Cheshire East.

The committee considered the recommendations of the Electoral Review Sub-Committee in respect of warding proposals for Cheshire East, which was undertaken in response to an electoral review of Cheshire East Council’s electoral arrangements by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. The final approval of the Council’s submission was intended to be given by full Council on 27th February 2024.

A number of visiting members addressed the committee in relation to the proposals, summarised below.

Councillors Liz Wardlaw, Sally Holland and David Brown each addressed the committee in relation to the proposals for Congleton. Each councillor highlighted the positive benefits of maintaining the current two-ward arrangements for Congleton (as the Sub-Committee’s recommendations would). This arrangement was felt to be inclusive, well known amongst local communities and promoted improved social, economic and health benefits, as well as evenly dividing elector numbers and councillor workloads. It was stated that any splitting of wards would create a division within communities and therefore committee members were encouraged to support the warding proposals for Congleton, as recommended by the Electoral Review Sub Committee.

Councillors Sarah Bennett-Wake, Liz Braithwaite, Mary Brooks, Brian Puddicombe, Judy Snowball, Rob Vernon each spoke against the proposals for Macclesfield, as recommended by the Electoral Review Sub Committee and urged the committee to support the proposed amendment to be put forward by Cllr Wilson (Warding Option 1), which was supported by 9 out of the 12 Macclesfield Ward Councillors. Members highlighted the impact that both proposals for Macclesfield would have on local communities and on Councillors’ workloads and asked the committee to take into consideration the views of local ward members and residents.

Councillor David Edwardes addressed the committee on behalf of Councillor Emma Gilman and stated that both local ward councillors for Tytherington were in support of the proposals of the Electoral Review Sub Committee. Councillor Edwardes indicated that supporting the proposed amendment for Macclesfield (Option 1) would have a detrimental impact on Tytherington resulting in a loss of community identity.

Councillor Ken Edwards spoke in relation to the proposed Bollington and Rainow ward. Councillor Edwards spoke against the proposals of the Electoral Review Sub Committee which he felt would divide Bollington between two wards, reduce electoral equality and reduce the sense of community cohesion.

Members debated the proposals put forward by the Electoral Review Sub Committee and a number of amendments put forward by committee members in relation to Macclesfield, Knutsford and Wilmslow. It was proposed, seconded and subsequently resolved that the proposed "Wilmslow East" ward name be changed to "Wilmslow East and Dean Row" to retain the identity of Dean Row.

RESOLVED (by majority):

That the Corporate Policy Committee:

1. Recommends to Council that Council approve the proposals for the future warding of Cheshire East as set out in Appendix 1 to the report as the Council’s submission to the Boundary Commission; with the following amendment: that Wilmslow East" ward name be changed to "Wilmslow East and Dean Row", to retain the identity of Dean Row.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81