Issue - meetings

The Group is asked to discuss and agree a project plan and timeline for the conduct of the review.

Having discussed the procedure to be applied in some detail, the Group was invited to make a number on decisions to guide the way forward.  For ease of reference, a list of required decisions was tabled at the meeting. 

Part b of the recommendation sought agreement as to the form the consultation process would take.  The Group reiterated its request that the explanatory leaflet, which would be sent to consultees, was short, to the point and clear about the response it wished to solicit; the same approach to be applied to the questionnaire which would be sent to all electors.   A proposal to hold a public meeting at the Municipal Buildings in Crewe was also supported, the Chairman of the Group offering to Chair the meeting. 

Further to the above, it was suggested that information be provided as to the potential cost of each of the option.  In confirming that the information could be included, the Borough Solicitor provided a caveat in that the data had to be reported in such a way as to inform and not influence.    

It was reported to the Group that the Review must give consideration to the electoral arrangements that should apply in the event a parish council was to be established.  The views of Members were sought as to whether this issue should be consulted on during stage one of the process or as part of stage two.  As the format of questionnaire would need to contain a view on the warding arrangements for a single or multiple parish Council, the Group requested that this item be deferred, to allow time for further consideration.

To enable the timetable to be met, a method of delivery for the leaflets and questionnaires needed to be agreed.  For expediency, it had been suggested that the Council employ its on electoral canvassers as a means of deliver, an approach which was supported by the Group.    

RESOLVED: That

a)                 the Community Governance Review Consultation process comprise:

i)                    an explanatory leaflet to all consultees, inviting a written response (to be agreed by the Borough Solicitor in consultation with the Chairman of the Group);

ii)                  a questionnaire to all electors;

iii)                two public meetings, to be chaired by the Chairman of the Group Councillor T Ranfield and held in the daytime and evening on a date to be nominated in keeping with the timetable proposed;

a)                 consideration of the format of the questionnaire [referred to in (aii) above] be deferred to a second meeting;

b)                 public notifications be made in the Crewe Chronicle, on Cheshire East Council’s website, on Council Notice Boards and libraries;

c)                  the Government Guidance on Community Governance reviews be noted;

d)                 the timeline for the conduct of the review (to be amended as necessary) be approved;

e)                 the use of canvassers for the distribution of the questionnaire to all electors be approved; and

f)                    a request be made for the provision of additional funding in the sum of £12,000 to cover all relevant expenditure.