At its meeting held on 27 September 2022, the Mayor of West Devon Borough Council was formally presented with two petitions (Minute CM 38/22 refers).
The two petitions (which have since been determined as being 'valid') call on the Borough Council to instigate a Community Governance Review on the following:
- (a) A proposal that seeks to abolish Sydenham Damerel Parish Council; and
- (b) A wish to review the existing parish boundaries of Okehampton Town Council.
The Borough Council will be guided by the relevant legislation and guidance, in particular the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and Guidance on Community Governance Reviews (published jointly by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England).
What is a Community Governance Review?
A Community Governance Review provides the opportunity for 'principal councils' (borough councils and unitary councils) to review and make changes to community governance within their areas. Such a Review can be helpful in circumstances such as where there have been changes in population, or in reaction to specific or local new issues.
In so doing, a Community Governance Review offers an opportunity to put in place strong, clearly defined boundaries, tied to firm ground features and remove the many anomalous parish boundaries that exist in England.
Why is the Borough Council undertaking the Review?
In light of the formal validation of the two petitions, the main purpose of this Review will be to consult on two standalone proposals. Namely to:
- (a) abolish the Sydenham Damerel Parish Council and establish the parish as a 'Parish Meetings' only parish; and
- (b) review the existing parish boundaries of Okehampton Town Council in addition to the surrounding Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council area boundaries.
The government has emphasised that recommendations made in a Review ought to bring about 'improved community engagement, more cohesive communities, better local democracy and result in a more effective and convenient delivery of local services.'
As the principal authority, West Devon Borough Council is responsible for undertaking any such Review within its electoral area. The body responsible for overseeing this process is the Full Council, who will be responsible for producing draft and final recommendations. The Council will approve the final recommendations before a Community Governance Order is then made.
How will the Borough Council conduct consultations during this Review?
Before making any recommendations or publishing final proposals, the Borough Council will take full account of the views of local residents. The Borough Council will comply with the statutory consultative requirements by:-
- Consulting local government electors for the area under review;
- Consulting any other person or body (including a local authority) which appears to the Borough Council to have an interest in the review;
- Notifying and consulting Devon County Council; and
- Taking into account any representations received in connection with the review.
Information relating to the review will be available on the Council website (www.westdevon.gov.uk) and key documents will be available on request via democratic.services@swdevon.gov.uk and/or from the Borough Council offices at: Kilworthy Park, Drake Road, Tavistock PL19 OBZ.
The Borough Council will publish its recommendations as soon as practicable and will take such steps as it considers sufficient to ensure that persons who may be interested in the review are informed of the recommendations and the reasons behind them. The Borough Council will notify each consultee and any other persons or bodies who have made written representations of the outcome of the review.
What will be the timetable for this Review?
It is a statutory requirement whereby a review must be concluded within a 12-month period from the day on which it commences. A review starts when the Borough Council publishes its Terms of Reference and concludes when the Borough Council publishes its final recommendations.
Outlined below is the proposed timetable for the review:
| Stage | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Publication of the Terms of Reference for each Review | Thu 23 February |
| Stage 2 |
Introductory Stage: Submissions and views sought and invited on existing arrangements. The Borough Council invites comments and proposals from affected residents and other stakeholders on the proposals made. |
Thu 23 February to Wed 14 June |
| Stage 3 |
Consideration of Initial Submissions: Comments and Proposals received during Stage 2 to be considered by the Council at its meeting to be held in July 2023 and recommendations made. |
Wed 14 June to Tue 18 July (provisional Council meeting date) |
| Stage 4 |
Consultation on Published Draft Proposals: Any recommendations made by the Council at its meeting in July 2023 will be circulated to affected residents and stakeholders and their further comments and/or proposals invited |
Thu 20 July to Fri 29 September |
| Stage 5 |
Final Recommendations: Comments and Proposals received during Stage 4 to be considered by the Council at its meeting to be held in November 2023 and final recommendations made |
Mon 2 October to Tue 19 December (provisional Council meeting date) |
| Stage 6 |
Implementation: Final recommendations published. The Council resolves (if appropriate) to make a Reorganisation of Community Governance Order. |
Tue 19 December (*) |
| For administrative and financial purposes, the Order would take effect on 1 April 2025. |
1 Apr 2025 | |
| Electoral arrangements for an existing town and/or parish council will come into force at the first elections to the town and/or parish council following (any) Reorganisation Order, which will be May 2027. |
May 2027 |
The review will be formally completed when the Council adopts and publishes the Reorganisation of Community Governance Order and requests that the Electoral Commission approve any consequential changes.
How to contact us
Should you wish to submit a written representation regarding this review, please use the online form at www.westdevon.gov.uk/community-governance-review.
Alternatively, your submission may be emailed to: democratic.services@swdevon.gov.uk
You can also write to us at:
Community Governance Review
Democratic Services
West Devon Borough Council
Kilworthy Park
Tavistock
PL19 0BZ
Date of publication
Thursday, 23 February 2023.