Agenda item

To consider notices of motions submitted under Procedure Rule 16 in such order as the Mayor shall direct.  The motions received for this meeting are attached.

Councillors Skottowe, and Musk, moved and seconded the following motion:

“In light of the accelerated timetable for Local Government Reorganisation as set out by the Government which is likely to see the abolition of the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and the introduction of directly elected Mayors and Unitary Authorities by May 2028, the Council recommends that a democratically elected Parish/Town council is established for Welwyn Garden City and a review of the other Parish or Town Councils in the Borough be conducted. This would allow greater democratic control over local assets and keep their governance truly local. The Council should aim to have this set up by 30^th April 2028 (or at least before this council is abolished).

This Council resolves to produce an initial report setting out how and when a Community Governance Review should be started, addressing the setting up of new Parish/Town councils where appropriate and detailing the process of asset transfer between the existing Borough Council and the new and existing Parish/Town Councils. This should be presented to cabinet as soon as possible thereafter during 2025.”

The following amendment to the motion was moved and seconded by Councillors Kingsbury and Mitchinson:

“In light of the accelerated timetable for Local Government Reorganisation as set out by the Government which is likely to see the abolition of the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and the introduction of directly elected Mayors and Unitary Authorities by May 2028, theis Council recommends that a democratically elected Parish/Town council is established, if consultation shows resident support, for Welwyn Garden City and a review of the other Parish or Town Councils in the Borough be conducted, with full involvement of relevant clerks from existing Parish Councils, Town Councils and Parish Meetings.This would allow greater democratic control over local assets and keep their governance truly local. The Council should aim to have this set up by 30th April 2028 (or at least before this council is abolished).

This Council resolves to produce an initial report setting out how and when a Community Governance Review should be started, addressing the setting up of new Parish/Town councils where appropriate and detailing the process of asset transfer between the existing Borough Council and the new and existing Parish/Town Councils. This should be presented to cabinet as soon as possible thereafter during 2025. Should the Community Governance Review go ahead a cross-party panel will be set up to guide the process.”

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

The amendment to the motion was CARRIED.

Full Council moved on to discuss the amended motion as set out below for approval:

In light of the accelerated timetable for Local Government Reorganisation as set out by the Government which is likely to see the abolition of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and the introduction of directly elected Mayors and Unitary Authorities by May 2028, is Council recommends that a democratically elected Parish/Town council is established, if consultation shows resident support, for Welwyn Garden City and a review of the other Parish or Town Councils in the Borough be conducted, with full involvement of relevant clerks from existing Parish Councils, Town Councils and Parish Meetings. This would allow greater democratic control over local assets and keep their governance truly local. The Council should aim to have this set up by 30th April 2028 (or at least before this council is abolished).

This Council resolves to produce an initial report setting out how and when a Community Governance Review should be started, addressing the setting up of new Parish/Town councils where appropriate and detailing the process of asset transfer between the existing Borough Council and the new and existing Parish/Town Councils. This should be presented to cabinet as soon as possible thereafter during 2025. Should the Community Governance Review go ahead a cross-party panel will be set up to guide the process.”

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

The amended motion was CARRIED.