Agenda item

A report by the Head of Democratic Services.

This item was brought forward on the agenda and dealt with under item 9.

The Mayor thanked Mr Jackson and Mr Percival for making their deputations, thanked those who took part in the consultation and the Officers for their report.  The Executive Leader presented the report to Council and proposed that no change be made to the existing arrangements for governance in Funtley.  

Having been seconded by Councillor T M Cartwright, the item was debated.

In closing debate, the Executive Leader stated that the proposals do not fully reflect a clear and sustained level of local support having regard to both the residential and business electorate within Funtley as a whole, albeit recognising the achievements and aspirations of some of the residents of Funtley. This is supported by the relatively low response to the consultation compared to the overall size of the electorate and the decreasing support for the parish council proposal over the 12 month period of consultation and low turnout at the public meeting held by the Council to engage with the community on the issue during the consultation period.

The Executive Leader further stated that given the relatively small size of Funtley and the close ties with neighbouring villages and communities, the creation of a parish in a vacuum of other like arrangements would not adequately reflect the identities and social cohesion of the wider conurbation.  Whilst Funtley is geographically definable, it is not sufficiently distinct to avoid the risk of creating unnecessary social barriers with neighbouring communities.

Having regard to the small size of the Funtley electorate, a parish council would not constitute the most effective or convenient way of engaging the community and empowering it in relation to its contribution to wider Fareham Borough issues which can be achieved through its status as a consultee for planning and other local function issues which this Council is committed to continue to support. The perceived benefits of a parish council would, in this case, be outweighed by the added layer of bureaucracy and cost associated with the set up and running of an additional layer of Governance.  

To close his summary, the Executive Leader stated that the report to Council contains further detailed analysis supporting the decision and all representations received during the consultation which have been fully considered by Members.

(Councillor Butts left the meeting after the debate and prior to the vote)

On the recommendations being put to make no change to the existing governance arrangements, it was declared CARRIED with 19 voting in favour and 5 against.

RESOLVED that the Council:

(a)  notes the results of the consultations and takes into consideration the representations received; and

(b)  agrees to make no change to the existing governance arrangements.