BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
STRATEGY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE STRATEGY COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON THURSDAY, 14 AUGUST 2008
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51 - Substitutes
52 - Declaration of Interests
53 - Petitions
54 - Questions from Members
55 - Issues arising from Overview and Scrutiny Committees
56 - Local Government Review - The Boundary Committee's Draft Proposals for Suffolk
PRESENT: Mr N A Ridley – Chairman
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Mr N A Bennett
Mr M P Booth
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr A J Hinton |
Ms J A Jenkins
Mr B L Lazenby
Mr C M Spence
Mrs S M Wigglesworth |
Mr R E Kemp and Dr M R Miller were unable to be present.
It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 5 a substitute was in attendance as follows:-
Mr B L Lazenby (substituting for Dr M R Miller)
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Mr C M Spence declared a personal interest in the item referred to in Minute No.56 below by virtue of being a Member of Suffolk County Council.
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None received.
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None received.
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None received.
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The Chief Executive submitted a report (Paper H89) advising that, following the initial consideration by Strategy Committee at its previous meeting, this provided an opportunity for further consideration to the draft proposals of the Boundary Committee in respect of possible future unitary structures for Local Government in Suffolk and Norfolk.
Members also referred to Paper H74, the report considered at the previous meeting; the Boundary Committee’s Draft Proposals for Unitary Local Government in Norfolk and Suffolk, and the presentation material from the Members’ Seminar on 5 August 2008.
Appendix A to Paper H89 attached copies of correspondence received from Town and Parish Councils and SAVO. Copies of additional correspondence received since the report had been prepared were circulated at the meeting from Groton, Chilton, Thorpe Morieux, Sproughton, Belstead, Leavenheath, Copdock and Washbrook, Stratford St Mary and Shelley Parish Councils. Members were also informed of the outcome of a public meeting held in Hadleigh to discuss the Draft Proposals.
A full discussion then ensued on the draft proposals which involves the creation of two Unitary Councils for the County, excluding Lowestoft. The key elements of these proposals, were set out in Paragraphs 5.4 and 5.6 and shown on the map at Appendix (b) to paper H74. The Unitary Council, referred to in the Boundary Committee’s report as “North Haven”, would consist of all of the Ipswich Borough Council area and Felixstowe and a number of surrounding parishes. For Babergh this would involve all 19 parishes around and to the east of the A12. A map showing the proposed boundary as it would affect Babergh District Council was shown at Appendix (d) to Paper H74. The other Unitary Council “Rural Suffolk” would cover the remainder of the County, excluding Lowestoft.
The Committee agreed to support the Boundary Committee’s draft proposals and gave further consideration as to where the indicative boundaries for the proposed Unitary Authorities should be. It was proposed and seconded that the boundary of the proposed North Haven Unitary be that as suggested by the Boundary Committee but to also include Hadleigh and the parishes of Aldham, Burstall, Chattisham, Elmsett, Higham, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham, Raydon, Wenham Magna, Wenham Parva and Whatfield.
An amendment was proposed and seconded that the Parish of Elmsett be included in the proposed Rural Suffolk Authority. Upon being put to the vote this was lost. A further amendment was proposed and seconded that the Parish of Higham be included in the proposed Rural Suffolk Authority. Upon being put to the vote this was lost.
RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL
(1) That the Boundary Committee's draft proposal for unitary Local Government in Suffolk be supported.
(2) That in accordance with the invitation at paragraph 6.38 of the Boundary Committee's Draft Proposal to comment on the indicative boundaries for the proposed unitary authorities, the Boundary Committee be asked to consider redrawing the boundary of the proposed North Haven unitary to include Hadleigh and the parishes of Aldham, Burstall, Chattisham, Elmsett, Higham, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham, Raydon, Wenham Magna, Wenham Parva and Whatfield.
(3) That the Chief Executive prepares a draft response to the Boundary Committee to reflect these views and the supporting arguments, including comments on the Boundary Committee's draft proposal for Lowestoft, for consideration by Strategy Committee on 18 September, it being noted that the business case assessments for possible unitary authorities will have been completed by that date.
(4) That the above recommendations be notified to all Town and Parish Councils in the District and to other Babergh stakeholders with an invitation to make comments on these before Babergh's response to the Boundary Committee is finalised at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council on 23 September 2008.
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The business of the meeting was concluded at 1.15 p.m.
Chairman
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