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Report to Scrutiny Panel
Name of Scrutiny Panel
Use of Resources Scrutiny Panel
Meeting Date
16 December 2010
Subject
Local Government Boundary Commission – consultation on the
policy and procedures for reviewing the size of councils and
principal area boundary reviews
All
Head of Democratic and Partnership Services
Review existing policy
Development of new policy
Performance management (inc. financial)
Briefing (inc. potential areas for scrutiny)
Statutory consultation 
Council request
Cabinet request
Member request for scrutiny (CCFA)
Wards Affected
Report of
Type of Item
(please tick )
Why is it coming here?
This is an opportunity for members of the Scrutiny Panel to feed into the Council’s response to
these consultations by the Local Government Boundary Commission. The consultation exercises
concern policy and procedures for boundary reviews of local authority areas and for changes to
the size and arrangements of councils, eg the number of councillors or number of wards.
What are the key points?
The consultation, Striking the Right Balance, concerns policies and procedures on electoral
reviews. This covers; the total number of members of the council; the number and boundaries of
wards; the number of councillors for wards; and the name of any electoral area.
The consultation, On the Right Lines, concern the policies and procedures for principal area
boundary reviews. This is a new area of activity for the Local Government Boundary Commission.
They wish to prepare and publish new guidance that will be in place when they start their 2011/12
work programme, so seek responses to this consultation by 31 December 2010.
Possible courses of action
The Scrutiny Panel may wish to feed comments on the consultation paper into the Council’s
response that will be submitted by the Head of Democratic and Partnership Services .
Contact Officer
Ian Hughes, Head of Democratic and Partnership Services
[email protected]
01422 393063
Should this report be exempt?
No
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1.
Background
The Local Government Boundary Commission has issued two consultation documents.
Striking the Right Balance (Appendix 1) is a consultation on policy and procedures for
electoral reviews. On the right lines? Is a consultation on policy and procedures for
principal area boundary reviews.
2.
Main issues for Scrutiny
2.1
Striking the Right Balance
2.1.1 Recent legislation has created new opportunities and requirements for electoral
review, for example, to provide for single-member wards and divisions. In addition,
the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) is aware that a number of
local authorities are contemplating reviews to address council size issues.
Consequently, they believe it is an appropriate time to review and update their
policies and procedures. In doing so, they aim to make the process more efficient
and streamlined.
2.1.2 This consultation predominantly focuses on council size (ie the number of
councillors and the structure within which they are elected), rather than the
population served by a council, which is covered by the second consultation. The
LGBC proposes that their approach to council size should vary depending on the
type of the review:
Type A: Reviews where there is no clear need or desire for significant change in
council size.
Type B: Reviews where a fairly small change in council size is desirable.
Type C: Reviews which have arisen because of a council request for a substantial
change in council size, the establishment of new authority, following structural
change, a principal area boundary review, or whole council merger. Reviews
where a change in council size is likely to give rise to contention would also be
included in this category.
2.1.3 The detailed consultation questions are included in the LGBC document Striking
the Right Balance (Appendix1). They cover the principles by which electoral
reviews are conducted, the classification of types of review, and some more
detailed questions relating to the timescales and duration of reviews amongst other
things.
2.2
On the right lines?
2.2.1 Principal area boundary reviews are a new area of activity for the LGBC. They
wish to publish new guidance before they embark on their 2011/12 work
programme.
2.2.2 Policies and procedures for boundary reviews have not been overhauled since the
last comprehensive programme of principal area boundary reviews was completed
in 1992.
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2.2.3 Since 1992 most changes to the external boundaries of principal local authorities
have been a consequence of structural reviews, directed by the Secretary of State.
There now appear to be many places where local authority boundaries do not
reflect the pattern of community life and some councils believe their boundaries
inhibit the efficient delivery of good services. Additionally, given financial
pressures, some councils believe there is a case for not just merging services, but
areas.
2.2.4 This consultation focuses on reviews of the boundaries of local authorities and the
LGBC have classified different types of reviews as follows:
Type A: Small scale reviews, affecting relatively few voters
Type B: Medium scale reviews, affecting a sizeable number of electors, which
would require consequential adjustments to wards, but would not have any
material impact on the management of service delivery.
Type C: Large scale reviews, resulting in changes to the electoral arrangements of
any or all principal authorities involved and which would have a significant impact
on the management of services.
2.2.5 The detailed consultation questions are included in the LGBC document On the
right lines? (Appendix 2). They cover the criteria for principal area boundary
reviews, evidence of local support for proposed changes, and other matters.
3.
Conclusions
3.1
Use of Resources Scrutiny Panel may choose to submit a response to the Local
Government Boundary Commission on any matter relating to either consultation
document.
3.2
The LGBC plans to consider responses to both consultation exercises in February
2011 and to publish guidance in April 2011.
3.3
This guidance will be applied to any subsequent reviews.
4.
Appendices
Appendix 1- Striking the right balance – A consultation on policy and procedures
for electoral reviews, The Local Government Boundary Commission, November
2010
Appendix 2 – On the right lines? – A consultation on policy and procedures for
principal area boundary reviews, The Local Government Boundary Commission,
November 2010
5.
Background documents
None
6.
Documents available for inspection at:
Westgate House, Halifax, HX1 1PS
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