Civil Parish of Great Ellingham
The first stage consultation was undertaken from 8th January to 16th March 2018 on the request from Great Ellingham Parish Council for an extension to the southern boundary of the parish of Great Ellingham to meet the natural boundary provided by the A11; which currently lies within the parish of Attleborough (Queens and Besthorpe Parish ward).
Guidance
The 2007 (Local Government and Public Involvement in Health) Act requires principal councils to ensure that a community governance review:
• Reflects the identities and interests of the community in that area • Is effective and convenient
• Takes into account any other arrangements for the purpose of community representation or community engagement
When considering this, the Council must have regard to two key principles
• The impact of community governance arrangements on community cohesion, and
• The size population and boundaries of any new local community or parish
The recommendations must take account of any representations received and should be supported by evidence that demonstrates any proposed arrangements take account of these criteria. It is desirable that a parish council should reflect a distinctive and recognisable community of place, with its own sense of identity. The views of local communities and inhabitants are of central importance. The focus of people’s day-to-day activities may not be reflected in their feeling of community identity. The feeling of local community and the wishes of local inhabitants are the primary considerations.
Comments
Section 95 of The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (LGPIH) sets out the considerations which must be made when making changes (if any) to the electoral arrangements which apply to a parish council. In this instance 95 (5) (c) applies the desirability of fixing boundaries which are, and will remain, easily identifiable. The proposed boundary proposed by Great Ellingham parish council does not meet these criteria.
From a geographical perspective there is logic in the view that this area should be incorporated within the civil parish of Great Ellingham. However, the logic also applies to the entire area south of the B1077 and east of the A11 which form an easily identifiable parish boundary.
Second Stage Consultation
The Community Governance Review Sub Committee considered the responses to the first stage of the consultation and agreed that the second stage consultation should be on extending the parish boundary to the natural boundary of the B1077, in line with DCLG guidance that boundaries should be and remain easily identifiable. A map of the revised area for the second stage consultation is shown here:
