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RESOLVED
 
That Council:
 

a)    
Adopts the Terms of Reference for
the Community Governance Review as showing at Appendix
A.

b)    
Delegates to Democracy and
Standards Committee the authority to propose draft and final
recommendations arising from the review subject to the final
recommendations being adopted by full Council.
 
 
Reasons for Recommendations:
To enable the review to be undertaken in
accordance with legislation and guidance in a timely and efficient
manner.
 
To ensure that community governance
arrangements continue to support effective and convenient local
governance and reflect the identities and interests of local
communities in Town and Parish areas across North
Northamptonshire.
 
Alternative Options Considered:
 
Partial Review
 
Principal councils may exercise their
discretion in terms of the conduct of reviews. An option to focus
on specific parish areas and limit the scope of the review was
considered, however, North Northamptonshire Council has not
previously undertaken a review of the parish areas within its
administrative boundary. A partial review might be considered too
restrictive and stifle opportunities for local communities to
engage in discussions around local representation.
 
Full Review
 
A full review is considered the most inclusive
option and would enable the electoral arrangements of all parish
areas within the district to be considered. The review may not
automatically recommend changes across all parish areas, but it
provides an opportunity to examine whether there might be a case
for change.
There has been significant residential
development across the district that has led to shifts in natural
settlements and changes in populations. By looking at the whole
district the review may consider any imbalances or disproportionate
outcomes arising from changes to individual or adjoining
parishes.
A full review presents the opportunity to
reflect on the consequential matters as they now apply to local
parishes arising from the LGBCE’s review of the electoral
arrangements for North Northamptonshire Council. The elections on
1st May 2025 were the first elections to take place on new parish
ward boundaries for those urban town councils where new warding
patterns were implemented.
North Northamptonshire Council has a duty to
keep its area under review. A full review ensures the council
continues to meet its statutory duties. This would be the first
review of community governance arrangements across the district
undertaken by North Northamptonshire Council since its formation in
2021