Community Governance Review
Following the enactment of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, Wealden District Council can review the boundaries and electoral arrangements of the parishes within its area. This is known as a Community Governance Review.
The Department for Local Government and Communities and the Electoral Commission have published some Guidance (pdf file, 343kb) on the conduct of Community Governance Reviews.
Wealden District Council undertook a Community Governance Review to consider the following matters:
- the electoral arrangements of the Parish of East Dean and Friston
- the boundaries and electoral arrangements of the parishes of Pevensey and Westham
View the Terms of Reference of this Review (pdf file, 120 kb).
The Parish of East Dean and Friston
As part of the review, East Dean and Friston Parish Council requested that Wealden District Council consider implementing a reduction in the number of their parish councillors from fourteen to ten. The Parish Council had struggled for some while to obtain sufficient councillor numbers: in 2007, there were nine validly nominated councillors and in 2003 just five, meaning council meetings were only quorate – and thus able to make decisions – if every single councillor was able to attend.
Outcome of the Review
At its meeting on 10 March 2010, the Regulatory and Audit Committee agreed that the number of East Dean and Friston Parish Councillors should be reduced to 9. This is in line with the National Association of Local Council's recommendation for a Parish with an electorate the size of East Dean and Friston.
The next step is for Wealden Disrict Council to make an Order to implement the reduction in the number of Parish Councillors. The Order shall take effect from 1 April 2011 - in time for the next Parish Council Elections in May 2011..
The Parishes of Pevensey and Westham
As part of this review, Pevensey Parish Council requested that Wealden District Council consider two amendments to the boundary between the Pevensey and Westham parishes. The affected areas are:
Proposal A (coloured blue on the map)
To continue the boundary westwards along Langney Sewer to the Eastbourne boundary which would be the western end of the Castle View Caravan Park field. The boundary would then follow the Eastbourne boundary to the beach on the road beside the golf course and Bay View Camp Site. This proposal would affect properties within the following roads in the Westham Parish:
- Eastbourne Road
- Grey Tower Road
- Old Martello Road
- a total of 33 properties and 38 electors.
Pevensey Parish Council's reason for proposing this amendment is because they consider this area is remote from the Westham settlement and that it forms part of the entrance to Pevensey Bay village.
Proposal B
To include the land on the north side of the railway line (Anderida Park) to border with the Valentine paddock and St Mary's Church. The border could then run alongside the railway line (Area B1, coloured green on map). Alternatively the border could continue down a path to the existing border (Area B2, coloured yellow on map).
Pevensey Parish Council's reason for proposing this amendment is because Anderida Park is owned by Pevensey Parish Council and they consider it would be sensible for it to be included in the Parish.
Westham Parish Council has stated that it is strongly opposed to all of the proposals and considers that the areas are historically part of the Parish of Westham as they were the ecclesiastical boundaries.
Outcome of the Review
At its meeting on 10 March 2010, the Regulatory and Audit Committee agreed that the areas A, B1 and B2 should be transferred from Westham Parish to Pevensey Parish. The next step is for the District Council to make an Order to implement the changes. The Order shall take effect from 1 April 2011.
A copy of the Terms of Reference are available for inspection at the Council's Offices at Pine Grove, Crowborough and Vicarage Lane, Hailsham.