A COUNCIL reluctantly agrees to support ward boundary changes in the southeast of Buckinghamshire despite ‘concerns and frustrations’.
The Local Government Boundary Commission is currently drafting a major overhaul of new boundaries within Bucks to make sure councillors each represent roughly the same number of people.
Final proposals were meant to be published on February 28 but the Commission “surprised” Bucks Council to launch a further consultation on its revised proposals for four wards: Chalfonts St Peter, Farnhams & Stoke Poges, Gerrards Cross & Denham, and Iver.
The Commission wanted to review their initial proposal after a ‘significant’ number of objections were received, which include concerns over under-representation and exclusion of “integral” parts of the community, and believe the revisions achieve ‘the best balance’.
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The changes include:
- To reverse the proposed Chalfont St Peter extension southwards into Gerrards Cross Parish.
- Restore New Denham from Iver to Gerrards Cross & Denham
- Place Hedgerley and Fulmer within Farnhams & Stoke Poges
- Pluralise Farnham to demonstrate that both Farnham Royal and Farnham Common are included in the new ward.
This will also mean that there will be one less councillor representing Chalfont St Peter, meaning the proposed 98 councillors (currently 147) sitting at the council will be slashed to 97.
Speaking at a full council meeting, Cllr Thomas Broom (Con: Gerrards Cross), chairman of the committee reviewing the Commission’s report, said they did try to find “alternatives” but ultimately agreed that the proposed changes “achieve the best possible balance”.
He also said that it was a “challenging process” and admitted it “won’t address everybody’s concerns” but will be making the point to the Commission that they should expect “much community feedback”.
At the meeting on Wednesday, April 26, Cllr Paul Bass (Con: Denham) said he was “concerned and frustrated” about the impact this will have on the Fulmer parish, adding the links between the area and Gerrards Cross are “very strong and very well established”.
He said: “This decision, if it’s taken by the Commission, will harm community cohesion and will harm effective governance, and they are also two of these statutory elements.”
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Cllr Robin Stuchbury (Lab: Buckingham West) criticised the reduction of one councillor, believing it was a “gentleman’s agreement” that the council would have 98 members.
He said: “Irrespective of who represents those wards, I don’t think it’s a good thing for the community and democracy. I find it difficult to understand how we got to this position.”
Cllr Broom said: “The process we’ve been through has very much been focused on trying to get the best possible outcome that we can but I don’t think we can claim that we have a perfect outcome, but I think we’ve probably come as close as we can.”
The Commission will publish its final report on the boundary changes on May 30. If councillors agree, it will come into effect from the 2025 all-out election.
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