September 2011 update

At the last meeting in June of the Community Governance Review Committee of Chorley Council, it was reported that communication from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) had been received.

Chorley Council had written to the Commission some years ago requesting a review of the boundary around Buckshaw but no indication was given at that time for a review to be undertaken.

This latest correspondence indicated; "The Minister for Local Government has said `where any recommended boundary change is agreed by all the principal authorities concerned, the Secretary of State will implement it, providing there is clear evidence that it represents value for money, and public support for it has been robustly demonstrated'."

It had been stated in the Terms of Reference of the Review that a change in the boundary would have a major impact on it, so it was proposed to suspend the work of Committee until a way forward had been agreed on the boundary review.

The LGBCE statement suggests Chorley and South Ribble Council's would need to agree the new boundary line or any changes to the boundary between themselves, before presenting the case to the LGBCE.

Discussions are presently ongoing between the two Council's.

June 2011 Update

Chorley Council has put a hold on the Community Governance Review following contact from The Boundary Commission.

Link to Chorley Council papers from the last meeting of the Community Governance Review Committee

May 2011 update

The consultation on this first stage of the Community Governance Review for Buckshaw ended in April.

The review will determine whether or not there should be a Parish Council for Buckshaw and the next stage is to consider views put forward and to come up with draft proposals which will be further consulted on.

It is anticipated that a meeting of the Community Governance Review Committee which will formulate those proposals will take place in late May or early June. All responses received to the first stage consultation will be considered at that meeting which will be held in Chorley Town Hall and will be open to the public.

Chorley Council is undertaking a Community Governance Review for the area of Buckshaw in Chorley Borough. This is to look at current parish council arrangements and whether there should be a parish council created for Buckshaw. A Community Governance Review is a legal process whereby Councils can create parish councils, review and change parish boundaries.

The Review is considering the area of Buckshaw within Chorley Council boundaries. Currently this area is served either by Euxton Parish Council or Whittle le Woods Parish Council - but only forms a small part of each of those parishes. Buckshaw Village is partly in Chorley Council area and partly in South Ribble Council. A parish council cannot be created across two District Council boundaries so the Review covers only the Chorley part of Buckshaw. The map below shows the two areas being looked at:

What could be the outcomes of this review?

At this stage the outcomes cannot be predicted but there are a number of clear options which the Council will have.

1. To create a Parish Council for Buckshaw made up of the two areas currently in Euxton and Whittle le Woods Parishes.

2. No change - leaving arrangements as they are now.

3. To unparish the areas of Buckshaw currently in Euxton or Whittle le Woods Parish. This could be either with or without a recommendation to reconsider the matter if the District Council boundary is changed to put all of Buckshaw within one local authority area.

4. Any other parish governance arrangements suggested by consultees and receiving significant support. The Council is open to suggestions.

What are the implications for Euxton Parish Council?

Whether a Parish Council is created for Buckshaw or not, potentially Euxton Parish Council could lose part of its current area and reduce in size by just over 400 properties. Euxton Parish may no longer represent areas of Buckshaw Village as it does now. If this was to be the outcome the money received by the Parish Council from precepts would reduce.

A reduction in geographic area could as a consequence mean a reduction in the number of elected Parish Councillors on the Parish council - but this would not come into effect until 2014.

What is the review process and who will have a say?

The Council has published a detailed Terms of Reference document which sets out the Review process and provides detailed factual information about precept levels, electorate figures both now and future forecasts, parish budgets and assets. It also contains a number of consultation questions about different aspects of the review. There is a 2 month consultation period (7 February to 7 April 2011) where key organisations and individuals can make submissions about what changes they would like to see and this includes Euxton Parish Council and its residents.

The next stage is to draw up draft recommendations for consultation and then a Final Proposals document. Any decision would be implemented by April 2012.

What will Chorley Council consider in making recommendations on the review?

There is government guidance on the issues Chorley Council has to consider in drawing up recommendations. The Guidance refers to:

- communities of identity
- effective and convenient local government
- other arrangements that promote representation and
engagement for residents

The views received from residents of the Buckshaw area; those received from other residents in the Euxton and Whittle le Woods Parish Councils who are not affected and representations from organisations and individuals who have an interest in the area will all be considered by the Council and a view formed on a recommended way forward.

If you have any queries about the review process please contact Carol Russell or Phil Davies on 01257 515196/515131. If you want to submit a response or make comments on this Community Governance Review then please put them in writing by letter or email to: Democratic Services (Community Governance Review), Chorley Council, Town Hall, Market Street, Chorley, PR7 1DP buckshawcgr@chorley.gov.uk
Keep in touch with the progress of the Community Governance Review through the Council's website www.chorley.gov.uk/buckshawreview