Rugby Borough Council’s Submission for Warding Arrangements

2010 Rugby Borough Councils Submission for Warding Arrangements

Background

The Council considered a report on the size of the Council on the 10th August 2010 and made a submission to the Boundary Commission for a Council of 42 Members. That submission was accepted by the Commission on the 17th September 2010.

This submission deals with Rugby Borough Council’s proposals for warding arrangements, which include their number, the number of Councillors per ward and the names of the proposed wards.

Warding Arrangements

In making this submission Rugby Borough Council has had reference to the Boundary Commission’s technical guidance. Rugby Borough Council holds elections by thirds. The Commission made it quite clear in its briefing to full Council on the 30th June 2010 that where this was the case the Commission had a strong preference for three member wards. The Commission’s technical guidance issued in 2010 does however state that this preference will not take precedence over the three statutory criteria of Electoral Equality, Community Identity and Effective and Convenient Local Government. It says that it will not recommend a uniform pattern where this results in unacceptable levels of electoral inequality or where it does not reflect communities or where it will hinder the provision of effective and convenient local government. The Council has had careful regard to the Commission’s presumptions and to the statutory criteria. It is therefore recommending 13 three member wards. It considers however, that there are good grounds for three single member wards where there is low density of population over a large area or where geography and community interest do not lend themselves to three member wards. The single member wards proposed are Wolvey and Shilton, Clifton, Newton and Churchover and Leam Valley.

Rural Wards

Proposal for Wolvey and Shilton Ward

Wolvey and Shilton Ward is the most northern ward in the Borough. Its northern boundary is the A5 south of and runs from just north of Stretton Baskerville to High Cross on the A5. Its western boundary runs from Stretton Baskerville, at its most northern point, along the boundary of Rugby and and Bedworth until it meets the and the M6. From this point it runs east below Shilton encompassing the parish of Shilton along the parish boundary to its junction with Wolvey parish. It continues east along the line of the Wolvey Parish boundary to its junction with the Fosse Way. It then travels northwards until it meets the A5 at High Cross.

2

It is proposed that the ward includes the villages of Barnacle, Wolvey and Shilton and will consist of polling districts NG2, NG1, OG1, OG2, NX1 and NX2. This would continue to be a single Councillor Ward on the basis that it has a large geographical area with a low density of population. The villages within the ward boundary are all with easy travelling distance of each other. The villages of Shilton and Wolvey have a direct connection via the B4065.

Shilton, Barnacle and Wolvey share a natural grouping through their Schools, Churches and social activities.

Wolvey and Shilton Ward will have an electorate of 2046 giving a variance of just over +7%.

Under the proposals Wolvey and Shilton Ward would contain the 5 parishes of Stretton Baskerville, , , Wolvey and Shilton.

See attached plan at Appendix 1.

Proposal for Earl Craven Ward

It is proposed that Earl Craven Ward should now consist of polling districts NA, NF2, NB1, NB2, NE1, NE2, NH2, NH1, OF1 and OF2. Its most northern boundary runs from the point where the Oxford Canal meets the M6 heading east on the boundary line between the parishes of Shilton and Ansty until it meets Hopsford Hall where it then leads south to the junction with Centenary Way and the Oxford Canal before continuing east. It runs below Hopsford Hall, travelling east until the B4112 at the entrance to College Farm. The boundary then travels south following the boundary of Coombe Fields parish until it reaches Birchley Wood. Then cutting south along the line between Birchley Wood and New Close Wood, to a point just north of Speedway Stadium. It then travels east until it meets the B4455 which then travels north to just below Brinklow. It then follows the northern boundary of King’s Newnham until reaches a point just north of Fennis Fields Farm. It then cuts south along the boundaries of King’s Newnham and Church Lawford to a point just above the A45. The southern boundary then heads west above the A45 and Ryton upon Dunsmore following the southern boundaries of the parishes of Wolston and Binley Woods to its most western point at Ryton Bridge. The boundary then runs north following the Borough and Coventry City boundary, along the line of the A46 running below junction 2 of the M6, which it then crosses, before returning back to its starting point.

Earl Craven Ward is serviced by the A45 on its southern boundary with links up to Wolston via the B4455 which dissects the A428 which runs east to west, this being a main arterial link between Rugby and Coventry. The north of the ward is accessed via the A46 on its western boundary.

3 There are shared activities between King’s Newnham and Church Lawford through the Church Fete at Church Lawford. There is a bi-annual raft race that runs on the River Avon between Church Lawford and Wolston.

Church Lawford and King’s Newnham are historically linked and although they form two parishes the day to day running of King’s Newnham falls to the Church Lawford Parish Council. It is also worthy of note that Church Lawford shares a vicar with Wolston.

Brandon and Wolston share a village hall. The skateboard park at the Community centre in Wolston is jointly funded by Brandon and Bretford, Wolston and Binley Woods Parish Councils. There are two youth clubs held on different nights in Wolston and Binley Woods within walking distance between the villages.

Earl Craven Ward would have an electorate of 5522 giving a variance of just over -3% and contain the 7 parishes of Ansty, Coombe Fields, Binley Woods, Brandon and Bretford, King’s Newnham, Church Lawford and Wolston and would be a 3 Councillor Ward.

Please see the attached plan at Appendix 2.

Proposal for Lawford and Revel Ward

It is proposed that Lawford and Revel Ward consists of polling districts NF1, NS2, OD, NS1, OB, NZ, NU, NO1, NO2, NO3, NQ1, NQ2 and NQ3. From its most northern point at High Cross, its boundary heads southeast following a line below the A5 until the entrance to Street Field Farm and Moor Barns. It then crosses the A5 and continues southeast until it meets the River Swift where it then heads southwest following the parish boundary of Monks Kirby to its junction with Harborough Magna, which in turn joins the eastern boundary of Cosford Parish. The ward boundary follows the Cosford parish southern boundary at its southern extreme until it meets the boundary of Harborough Magna Parish following briefly, the line of the Oxford Canal Walk, until it cuts the B4112 continuing south on the eastern boundary of Little Lawford Parish and Long Lawford Parish. It then cuts across the A428 until it meets the disused railway line. It runs along the parish boundary line of Long Lawford until its most southerly point where it meets the proposed ward boundary of Earl Craven. The southern boundary of Lawford and Revel Ward then heads north along the western boundaries of Long Lawford and Little Lawford Parishes until it meets the hamlet of Cathiron. The boundary then cuts west above Fennis Fields Farm and All Oaks Wood where it meets the southern boundary of the parish of Brinklow. It then follows this boundary all the way around until it meets the parish boundary of Stretton under Fosse, where it cuts the Oxford Canal and the railway line and continues north where it meets the B4112. The boundary then continues along the southern boundary of Withybrook Parish to meet the Oxford Canal and railway line again, until continuing north to Hopsford Lodge Farm and the junction with Wolvey Parish boundary. Finally it heads eastwards meeting the line of the

4 Withybrook Spinney until it meets the Fosse Way which it follows north until reaching High Cross.

The B4112 provides excellent road links between the north and south of the ward linking Long Lawford, Harborough Magna, Pailton and Withybrook. The new Western Relief road that runs from the A4071 at Potfords Dam Farm to the B4112 at Newbold also strengthens the north south link in the ward.

There is an ‘Early Birds’ pre school club that serves The Revel area which includes the parishes of Brinklow and Monks Kirby.

Lawford Heath recreation ground is owned and managed by the Long Lawford Parish Council and Lawford Heath is always incorporated within the parish as is Little Lawford.

Long Lawford and Church Lawford share the Lawford name but the two villages have only been associated since the last Boundary Review before which, they were in different Electoral Wards.

It is proposed that Lawford and Revel Ward is a 3 Councillor Ward.

Lawford and Revel Ward would have an electorate of 5822 giving a variance just under +2% and contain the 12 parishes of Wibtoft, Withybrook, Willey, Monks Kirby, Stretton under Fosse, Pailton, Brinklow, Easenhall, Harborough Magna, Cosford, Little Lawford and Long Lawford.

Please see the attached plan at Appendix 3.

Proposal for Dunsmore Ward

The proposal is to keep much of the ward as it is but include polling district NW, effectively incorporating the current Ryton on Dunsmore Ward.

Dunsmore Ward would now consist of polling districts NY, NV, NW, NM, ND, OA, NL2, NL1 and NL3.

Its northern boundary is essentially the southern boundary of the proposed Earl Craven Ward from Ryton Bridge through to the junction of the A45 and A4071. It then veers northeast and then east following the line of the parish boundary until it meets Rains Brook, continuing along the parish boundary of Dunchurch between Whitehall Farm and Beckhill. The boundary then follows Rains Brook in a southerly direction until the River Leam and runs westerly along the route of the River Leam, crossing the disused railway line below Frankton until it meets the Borough boundary. The western boundary is the western Borough boundary line that runs up to Ryton Bridge.

The two largest villages within the Ward are Dunchurch and Ryton on Dunsmore, both of which are connected by the A45 that runs along much of

5 the northern boundary. Other villages within the ward are easily accessed via B roads that radiate off from the A45.

The residents of Ryton on Dunsmore, Stretton on Dunsmore and Dunchurch are well served by their own facilities and do not share the facilities of the other major villages as they each have their own schools, doctor’s surgeries, public houses, village halls, post offices, petrol stations, churches, recreation grounds and community groups.

Dunsmore Ward is to be a 3 Councillor Ward with an electorate of 5981 giving a variance of just over + 4%

Dunsmore Ward would contain the 7 parishes of Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, Dunchurch, Princethorpe, Frankton, Bourton and Draycote, and Thurlaston

See the attached plan at Appendix 4.

The Proposal for Leam Valley

Leam Valley consists of polling districts NR, NC, NP, NN, OC, and OE. Leam Valley Ward is located in the southern part of the Borough. Its northern boundary starts just north of Marton and travels east sharing a common boundary with Dunsmore until it meets the Borough and County boundary just south of Onley Grounds. It then continues eastward below Olney Field Farm crossing the Oxford Canal until it meets Cleves Hill. The Ward boundary then continues south until it meets the viaduct on the now dismantled railway, before looping around Wolfhamcote, following the parish and Borough boundary back to the point it meets just north of Marton.

Geographically, Leam Valley is amongst the largest wards within the Borough, but with the absence of any major village it has relatively few inhabitants. However, the ward is serviced by three major routes that form a virtual triangle just outside the ward boundary. From these main arterial routes which transect the ward to the west, east and centre, a number of link roads provide access to the villages and central parts of the ward.

The electorate in 2016 will be 1973 giving a variance of just over +3.5% and would be a 1 Councillor Ward.

Leam Valley would consist of the 6 parishes Marton, Birdingbury, Leamington Hastings, Grandborough, Willoughby, and Wolfhampcote.

See the attached plan at Appendix 5.

6 The Proposal for Clifton, Newton and Churchover

Clifton, Newton and Churchover Ward comprises of polling districts, NJ, NT and NK.

Clifton, Newton and Churchover Ward’s northern border starts at the point where the River Swift cuts the A5. Proceeding southeast following the line of the A5 until a point slightly north of the DIRFT railway terminal. The boundary then heads back north in an arch following the line of a watercourse that runs into Clifton Brook and then around the perimeter of what is known as Rugby’s mast site until it meets the Oxford Canal. The boundary then travels northwest along the line of Clifton upon Dunsmore parish Boundary and Newton and Biggin Parish Boundary circumnavigating the urban area of Brownsover to a point where it then meets the M6. It then follows the M6 until it meets the western boundary of Churchover Parish Council which it then follows until it rejoins its most northern point at the A5.

It is proposed that Clifton, Newton and Churchover Ward is a single member ward on the basis that the ward lies as a narrow strip to the east of the town between urban and Borough boundaries. It doesn’t fall naturally within any other ward and consists of only the 3 villages, as defined by the name of the ward, each of which is in easy travelling distance of the other.

Clifton, Newton and Churchover will have an electorate of 1806 giving a variance of a little over -5%.

Clifton, Newton and Churchover Ward would consist of the 3 parishes of Churchover, Newton and Biggin and Clifton upon Dunsmore.

See the attached plan at Appendix 6.

Urban Wards

The Proposal for Newbold Ward

Newbold Ward is on the North-West fringe of the urban area and extends in towards the town centre. Its northern boundary starts at Falls Bridge on the Oxford Canal and extends past Newbold-on-Avon to the edge of the Swift Valley Industrial Estate. Its eastern boundary follows the disused railway line to where it previously jointed the West Coast main line. Then the boundary travels east along the railway line before turning south at Mill Road, leading into Murray Road. At this point the boundary then goes slightly to the west to run along the garden boundary line between Bath Street and Murray Road until the junction with Clifton Road. It then follows this line west into the residential area and the town centre to the Clock Tower. Its southern boundary extends from Warwick Street out to towards the main line railway past the Alstom works. The ward’s western edge follows the northern branch of the great western railway line and then up to Falls Bridge past Newton Lodge farm.

7

The ward is currently comprised of the eight polling districts AA, AB, AC, AD AE, AF, AG and DB. This will be a three member ward with an electorate of 5695 giving a variance less than -1%.

See the attached plan at Appendix 7.

Proposal for Coton and Boughton Ward

Coton and Boughton Ward will be situated to the north of the urban area. Its northern boundary runs from the junction of the old Canal and the M6 eastward, along the line of the M6 motorway to the underpass turning south. The eastern boundary then runs south to encompass the warehousing and the industrial area to a point at the far eastern end of Central Park Drive before continuing south following the line of the Newton and Biggin Parish Boundary and Clifton upon Dunsmore Parish Boundary to the point where it joins the River Avon. Coton and Boughton Ward’s western border then turns north cutting across country until it meets Staveley Way turning west to touch Crow Thorns before continuing north to the junction with Hawlands. It then runs along this line encompassing Boughton Leigh Schools before joining Hollowell Way continuing its journey north before meeting Newton Manor Lane. The boundary then heads west across the Leicester Road encompassing what is now referred to as the Gateway Development Site. It then follows the eastern parish boundary of Cosford until it rejoins the M6.

This proposal is that the ward consists of the polling districts CA, CB, CC, CD, CE and part of NJ. The ward is to also include the planned Gateway development which will have an estimated electorate of 828 by 2016 achieving a total electorate for the ward of 5522 giving a variance of -3.4%. It is proposed that Coton and Boughton will be a 3 Councillor Ward.

See the attached plan at Appendix 8.

Proposal for Benn and Brownsover Ward

Benn and Brownsover Ward is to adjoin Coton and Boughton Ward on its southern Boundary. It contains the polling districts of BA, BB, BC, DA, DC, DD, and DE. Its northern boundary starts near the Swift Valley Industrial Estate and travels past Brownsover Hall and over the A426 following Newton Manor Lane to the junction with Hollowell Way. At this point the boundary heads south along Hollowell Way skirting Boughton-Leigh Schools through the garden lines below Hayes Close, before joining Bow Fell. It then continues through the garden line of Hawlands and Ambleside before joining Crow Thorns. The boundary runs south along Crow Thorns into Staveley Way, whereupon it turns south crossing the Oxford Canal and Butlers Leap at the junction with the Great Central Way. It continues south across the railway line and follows the Great Central Walk until it meets Clifton Road. Travelling west along Clifton Road to the junction with Murray Road the boundary turns north along the garden line of Murray Road and Bath Street before crossing Craven

8 Road. It then rejoins the centreline of Murray Road to the railway, where it heads west to the disused railway line. Finally it follows the disused railway line back to the most northern point of the ward near the Swift Valley Industrial Estate.

The total electorate for the new Benn and Brownsover Ward is 6300 giving a variance of fractionally over +10%; however there is no further projected capacity for increased growth within this ward. It is proposed that this will be a 3 Councillor ward.

See the attached plan at Appendix 9.

The Proposal for Admirals Ward

Admirals Ward consists of polling districts LA, LB, LC and LD. Admirals Ward is situated on the western fringe of the urban area of the Borough. Its northern boundary starts at a point just southeast of the The Acre, from which, it then cuts south-easterly to join the disused railway at a point just above Berrybanks. The boundary then follows the line of the disused railway to Sow Brook which it follows to the junction with Addison Road. The boundary then cuts south along Addison Road before heading west between Collingwood Avenue and Wheatfield Avenue to the junction of Nelson Way and Wheatfield Avenue. It then continues through the area between Cunningham Way and Nelson Way, skirting below Henry Hind School before continuing south west between Rodney Close and Montgomery Drive, running through the eastern garden line of Lawford Lane before its junction with the A4071. The boundary then follows A4071 south-westerly before turning northwest at Cawston Manor, following the parish boundary line of Cawston across the disused railway line, back to its starting point just southeast of The Acre.

Admirals Ward contains the parish of Cawston which was created in December 2006 with the first election in May 2007 and has developed significantly in recent years and now contains in excess of 50% of the wards total electorate.

Admirals Ward has a total electorate of 5200 giving a variance of -9% and will be a 3 Councillor Ward.

See the attached plan at Appendix 10.

Proposal for Bilton Ward

Bilton Ward is situated on the south-west fringe of the urban area of the Borough. It consists of the polling districts of KA, KB, KC, KD, KE, JA, JD, part of LE and KF. It borders Admirals ward to the north and its northern boundary starts at the junction of Rodney Close and Montgomery Drive and shares a common boundary with Admirals Ward (as outlined above) to a point just above May Lane. It then turns east on the line of Sow Brook until it reaches the A4071 Bilton Road. The boundary travels east along the A4071 until it

9 meets the junction of the A4071 and Buchanan Road. It then follows Buchanan Road south before turning westerly into Ferndown Road, following the rear garden line between Hudson Road and Bracken Drive until it meets the perimeter of Brooke School. It then runs south to join the northern garden boundary line of Overslade Lane. The boundary then continues along Overslade Lane to the junction of Bawnmoor Road, whereupon it turns southwards on Bawnmoor Road to its junction with the A426 Dunchurch Road. It follows this road encompassing the majority of Cock Robin Wood before running parallel to the north of the A426 Lane to a point where it joins the Dunchurch Parish Boundary. It then follows this north to the junction with the A4071 turning east along the A4071 before continuing east through the garden line of Lawford Lane, back to the junction of Rodney Close.

Bilton Ward will have an electorate of 6017 with a variance of just over +5% and will be a 3 Councillor Ward.

See the attached plan at Appendix 11.

Proposal for Overslade Ward

Overslade Ward will comprise of the polling districts JB, JC, JE, HD and HE and is situated in the south-west quarter of the urban area of the Borough. Its northern boundary starts at the junction of St Anne’s Road and Wentworth Road, which it then follows briefly before heading north-easterly to follow the line north of Sow Brook (north) crossing the A426 Dunchurch Road to a point parallel with Beaconsfield Avenue. It then turns south following the garden line of Belmont Road and Anderson Avenue including Rokerbey Schools, following a line to a pool before heading southwest to pick up the rear garden line of Fawsley Leys. It then skirts the urban development until it gets level with the southwest end of Sywell Leys. Whereupon it heads southeast to meet the A4429 Ashlawn Road. It then follows the Dunchurch Parish Boundary westerly, to the point it meets the A426. The boundary then heads north into Bawnmoor Road and Overslade Lane where it then shares the same boundary as Bilton Ward (outlined above), up until the northern boundary line at St Anne’s Road.

Overslade Ward will have an electorate of 5677 giving a variance of less than -1%. This will be a 3 Councillor Ward

See the attached plan at Appendix 12.

Proposal for New Bilton Ward

New Bilton is situated to the west of the urban area of the Borough. The proposal is that New Bilton Ward will remain unchanged. It remains with polling districts MA, MB, MC, MD, ME, MF and MG. Its northern boundary borders Newbold Ward with its northern border starting at the railway line just below Newton Lodge Farm. The border then runs easterly following the track back toward Trent Junction. It then turns south across the railway line

10 between the quarry and Tank Cottages crossing the disused railway line to the east of Izod Road following the course of Newbold Footpath and the ward boundary of Newbold until it meets the common boundary of Eastlands Ward. It follows Eastlands Ward boundary until it meets Sow Brook (north) then heads west along the line of Sow Brook (north) until it arrives at the western end of Burnside before heading southwest to meet Wentworth Road. The boundary then continues in a northerly direction along the Wentworth Road until it meets the A4071 Bilton Road. Then heading south-westerly just before May Lane, joining and then following the line of Sow Brook until it meets the dismantled railway. The boundary then heads south-westerly along the dismantled railway before heading north following the eastern parish boundaries of Long Lawford and Little Lawford back to its starting point at the railway track just below Newton Lodge Farm.

New Bilton Ward will have an electorate of 5367 giving a variance of just over -6% and will be a 3 Councillor ward.

See the attached plans at Appendix 13.

The Proposal for Eastlands Ward

Eastlands Ward is situated to the east of the urban area of the Borough and comprises of the polling districts DF, DG, DH, EA, EC, ED, HA, HB and HC.

Its northern boundary runs from the junction of the Great Central Walk and the Oxford Canal heading southeast sharing the parish boundary of Clifton upon Dunsmore, running along the line of the Oxford Canal before turning west across Clifton Brook and the main railway line. It then skirts the boundary of the Cemetery and the recreation ground before crossing the Lower Hillmorton Road and continuing to the southeast of Boundary Road before joining the A428 Hillmorton Road. It then follows the line of the A428 to the junction of Percival Road to a point midway between the A428 and Warren Road before heading northwest following the rear garden line of the properties in Hillmorton Road as far as Deacon Close. It then heads south, parallel to Malvern Avenue picking up the line of the Great Central Walk by Little Farm, which it follows south until its junction with B4429 Ashlawn Road. It then follows the B4429 south-westerly to Olney Lane which it then follows south- easterly until it meets Rains Brook. The Brook is followed south-westerly until it meets the Dunchurch Parish boundary which is followed until it meets the B4429. It then follows the eastern boundary of Overslade Ward in a northerly direction until it meets the New Bilton Ward boundary which is then followed north until the junction of Lawford Road and Warwick Street. It then turns east following the southern boundary of Newbold Ward and Benn and Brownsover Ward, which it follows until its starting point at the Great Central Walk and Oxford Canal.

Eastland Ward has an electorate of 5816 giving a variance of just under +2% and will be a 3 Councillor Ward.

See the attached plans at Appendix 14.

11

Proposal for Paddox Ward

Paddox Ward is situated to the south-east of the urban area of the Borough and comprises polling districts EB, EE, EF, FA, FB, FC and FD. The most northern point of the Ward is the junction of the Oxford Canal and Clifton Brook. The boundary then runs easterly until it joins Hillmorton Lane at Double Bridge leading into The Kent, at which point it doglegs into the garden boundary lines of the properties to the western side of The Kent. The boundary then loops around the properties within the Lower Hillmorton Road and heads west along the garden boundary of the properties, on the south side of Lower Hillmorton Road before heading south along the gardens between Eden Road, Gibson Drive and Dyson Close. Then it follows the garden boundary line to the North Bromwich Road, heading west toward Vere Road. It then crosses the end of Bromwich Road and then heads back on the south side towards Pettiver Cresent, where it then heads south cutting the corner of the recreation ground towards Hoskyn Close. The boundary then loops around towards the south side of Hoskyn Close following the garden line until it meets Deerings Road. It then travels south crossing the Ashlawn Road and continues south on Barby Lane to the rear of the properties on Ashlawn Road to the junction with Penny Lane. Then it heads south with Westwood Road and Waldings Farm just outside the eastern boundary until it meets Rains Brook. The boundary then follows Rains Brook (southwest) until it meets Olney Lane. The western boundary then heads north, sharing the eastern boundary of Eastlands Ward back to its starting point at the Oxford Canal.

Paddox Ward has an electorate of 5379 giving a variance of a little of -5% and will be a 3 Councillor Ward.

See the attached plan at Appendix 15.

The Proposal for Hillmorton Ward

The proposal is that Hillmorton Ward stays as it is, consisting of polling districts GA, GB and GC, but it will incorporate the planned development of the Mast Site. Hillmorton Ward lies to the southeast of the urban centre of the borough. Its northern boundary starts at Double Bridge on the Hillmorton Lane and Oxford Canal. It heads east following the line of Clifton Brook and then an un-named watercourse looping around what is currently known as the ‘Mast Site’ until it joins the A428 Crick Road by the Depot. The boundary then turns west along Crick Road to a point north of Strongs Farm and follows the Borough boundary, crossing Lane and eventually reaching the boundary with Paddox Ward. It then runs north on the eastern and common boundary with Paddox until reaching its northern point at Double Bridge.

Hillmorton Ward will, as mentioned above, incorporate the Mast Site development, which will provide an additional electorate of 1000 giving a total

12 electorate for the ward of 5662 in 2016. This gives a variance of less than -1% and will be a 3 Councillor Ward.

See the attached plan at Appendix 16.

13