9(B) - 1
Item No. 9(B)
Urban Parishing (090416/CAB010)
To:
Cabinet
16 April 2009
Main Portfolio Area: Leader of the Council
Author of report:
Sheila Wheeler
Classification:
Non-Exempt
Ward:
All Wards
Executive Summary
As its meeting of 2 December, Cabinet considered a report from the Corporate
Services Select relating to Urban Parishing. It was agreed that the Chief Executive
would submit a further report to Cabinet on how to take forward the
recommendations of the select committee. This report outlines proposed next steps.
Corporate Priorities
Urban parishing would potentially support the Council’s priority of improving the
confidence of its communities.
Report status
For noting.
Route to Implementation/Timetable:
The report proposes that the recommendations of the select committee will be
integrated into the programme for the Council’s delivery unit. Further reports will be
brought back in due course.
9(B) - 2
Report of Chief Executive Continued
Background/Introduction
1.
The Council’s Corporate Services Select Committee has conducted a review of
urban parishing following referral from Cabinet. The Select Committee
considered the legal process for establishing a parish council, the advantages
and disadvantages of parish councils, special expenses and the role of the
current Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Forum as the current representatives for
the urban communities of Tunbridge Wells.
2.
The review concluded that there were advantages to be derived from urban
parishing but it was also apparent there was not an appetite for urban parishing
across the whole of the urban area. Cabinet accepted the recommendations
that:
Cabinet publicise the new forms of local Councils and emphasise benefits in
hope of prompting “Community” or “Neighbourhood” Council applications via
petitions;
Cabinet identify appropriate support for community Groups, elected
councillors and individuals who wish to create parish councils; and
Cabinet liaise with the Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Forum to review their
role as representatives of the urban area to see if this is effective and make
improvements as appropriate.
3.
It was also agreed that the Chief Executive would report back on progress with
the recommendations. The matter has now been discussed at the Council’s
Management Board who concluded that there were insufficient staff resources
to take forward the proposals at the current time. It was therefore proposed that
the recommendations should be integrated into the programme of the Council’s
Delivery Unit (which will shortly be established) and that the support alluded to
in recommendation ‘2’ should be considered as part of future staff restructures.
A further report will be brought back to Cabinet in due course.
Cross cutting issues
Legal
4.
The legal implications of urban parishing were addressed in the report from the
Select Committee.
Finance and other resources, including ICT
5.
Any financial resources will be identified by the Delivery Unit Manager and
brought back to Cabinet at a future meeting.
Staffing
6.
The recommendations will be scoped by the Delivery Unit and any staffing
implications reported back to Cabinet. In addition, consideration will be given to
how the Council can support community groups as part of any future
restructures.
9(B) - 3
Value for money
7.
Details of financial consequences and value for money were provided in the
Select Committee report.
Risk Management
8.
There is a risk that the creation of a new parish council will have an impact on
council tax across the remaining urban area because of special expenses.
Equalities
9.
If a community governance review is conducted then the Council will have to
ensure that all groups and individuals within the area under review have the
opportunity to be involved.
Safer & Stronger Communities
10. The Committee considered that creating parish councils in urban areas would
allow scope for local communities to take control of local services and give
them a democratically elected accountable voice.
Health and Well-Being
11. The powers of parish councils extend to some areas that could have an impact
on health and well-being such as open space, allotments and public
conveniences.
Environment / Sustainability
12. The powers of parish councils extend to some areas that could have an impact
on the environment such as open space and allotments.
Human Rights Act
13. No implications.
Communication and Consultation
14. The Select Committee did not have the resources to carry out wide-scale
community consultation across the urban area on whether they wished to be
parished, but did consult the town forum as representatives of the urban area.
Conclusion
15. Progress on taking forward the select committee’s recommendations will be
integrated into the programme of the Delivery Unit and further reports will be
brought back in due course.
Recommendation - That Cabinet note the progress update.
9(B) - 4
Reason for recommendation:
The Delivery Unit is considered to be the best way to take forward the
recommendations of the Select Committee.
Contact Officer: William Benson, Director of Change and Business Support
Sheila Wheeler
Chief Executive
Background Papers: Report from the Corporate Services Select Committee and
minutes from the Cabinet meeting of 2 December (CAB124/08)
