RESOLVED: That Council:
(1) Noted the outcome of the consultation.
(2) Agreed the Final Recommendations for the Community Governance Review (as detailed under para 8.10 of the report – R1 – 41) subject to the following amendments:
Codicote:
Change the electoral cycle for Codicote, such that the elections in 2026 result in a 2-year term of office ending in 2028; thereafter revert to 4-yearly terms in line with North Herts District elections.
R10: To retain 10 Parish Councillors:
Codicote Village: 8
Codicote East: 2
Ashwell:
R1: To reduce the number of Parish Councillors from 12 to 9.
(3) Noted that following decision 2.2, a Community Governance Order will be prepared, to implement the agreed recommendations, subject to consent by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (where required).
REASON FOR DECISIONS: The Council is required to keep parish electoral arrangements under review. Following the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) review of district electoral arrangements (Council size and warding patterns), it is necessary to review parish arrangements across the district to bring them into alignment, ensure they remain fit for purpose, and to ensure they continue to reflect local needs. This report provides the Final Recommendations that have been developed taking into account the responses to the public consultation on the Draft Proposals.