Issue - items at meetings - Hollingbury & Stanmer Ward - Change of Name

Report of the Chief Executive (copy attached).

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND -

(1)       That the change of electoral area name from ‘Hollingbury & Stanmer Ward’ to ‘Hollingdean & Stanmer Ward’ be agreed; and

(2)       That Full Council be recommended to give approval by way of a resolution in accordance with Section 59 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

46.1       The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive, concerning the proposed change of name from Hollingbury & Stanmer Ward to Hollingdean & Stanmer Ward (for copy see minute book).

46.2       The Electoral Services Officer introduced the report and stated that the proposed change of name had resulted from the consultation exercise for the review of polling arrangements.  He noted that since the publication of the report a member of the public had expressed concern over the loss of ‘Hollingbury’ as an identified polling area and acknowledged that the consultation process had not included tenants and residents associations.

46.3       Councillor West welcomed the proposed change of name as it would better reflect the area to be served by the ward.  However, he was also concerned about the loss of identification for Hollingbury and therefore wished to propose an additional recommendation to the report.  The recommendation to be, “That officers be asked to undertake the necessary consultation and report back to the Committee on the change of name from Patcham Ward to Hollingbury & Patcham Ward.”

46.4       Councillor Taylor stated that he was happy to second the proposal.

46.5       Councillor Mitchell stated that she supported the proposed change of name to Hollingdean & Stanmer and could also understand the concern over the loss of the name of Hollingbury.

46.6       The Electoral Services Officer stated that a recent change in legislation provided for the ability to review polling arrangements including the change of ward names outside of any Boundary Review.

46.7       Councillor Mears noted the proposal and suggested that it would be more appropriate to consult with the respective Groups on any possible changes to ward names and to then ask officers to undertake the necessary consultation and report back.  She stated that she was aware of one other proposed change and whilst it was likely that the majority of wards would be regarded as having an appropriate identity, by first asking each Group it would enable the Groups to take a collective view on any proposed changes.

46.8       Members of the Committee noted that the wards had been looked at as part of the recent Boundary Review in 2001 and that changes of ward names had not been forthcoming.  It was suggested that the approach put forward to seek the views of the Groups and for the Leaders to be consulted on officers then undertaking a consultation exercise on changes to a small number of wards before reporting back to the Committee was a more cost effective approach.

46.9       Councillor Mitchell stated that she did feel the particular matter of changing to Hollingbury & Patcham could be dealt with as had been proposed and any other proposals looked at as outlined.

46.10    The Chairman noted the comments and asked the Director of Strategy & Governance to clarify matters before she moved to the vote.

46.11    The Director of Strategy & Governance stated that from the debate, he believed there was a consensus in respect of the report’s recommendations.  There was also consensus on the need to look at the issue raised regarding Patcham and possibly other wards, although there were differences of views as to the scope of such a review and the best way to carry it out.  An amendment had been proposed which would result in an additional recommendation requesting officers to consult on and report back on the change of name from Patcham Ward to Hollingbury & Patcham Ward.  It had also been suggested that the political groups should consider the question of ward names and identify any proposed changes.  The Group Leaders would then be consulted on the proposals and subsequently officers then asked to consult and report back on agreed changes that should be put forward to a future meeting.

46.12    The Electoral Services Officer noted that any further changes could not be implemented until the next publication of the electoral register in December 2009.

46.13    The Chairman noted that a proposal to add an additional recommendation had been moved and seconded and put the amendment to the vote.

46.14    The Chairman noted that the vote had been tied at 5 votes for and 5 votes against and in choosing not to use her second or casting vote the proposal was not carried and therefore fell. 

46.15    RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND -

(1)       That the change of electoral area name from ‘Hollingbury & Stanmer Ward’ to ‘Hollingdean & Stanmer Ward’ be agreed; and

(2)       That Full Council be recommended to give approval by way of a resolution in accordance with Section 59 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.