Dunkeyson, Nicholas

From: BRUCE BROUGHTON Sent: 08 November 2013 01:20 To: Reviews@ Subject: Erewash Ward Boundaries

Dear Sirs

I am writing to support the Erewash Council Conservative Group's proposals for warding arrangements to be developed in the current review of electoral arrangements for Erewash and in particular the proposals relating to the existing and , Stanley and and Breadsall and Morley Wards.

I appreciate that being one of the current (Conservative) Borough Councillors for West Hallam and Dale Abbey Ward and a member of West Hallam Parish Council you would expect me to support my Group's proposals. However, I can genuinely say that I speak not from any political perspective, but as a resident of this area for almost forty years and as a former local government officer who retired as Erewash Borough Council's Democratic Services Manager in 2006.

I do not believe that having a single member ward for Stanley and Stanley Common, as at present, serves the residents of those communities as well as it might. It is currently the only single member ward in Erewash, which from a practical point of view gives residents no choice as to which local member they might want to approach on issues of concern, means there is no 'cover' for holidays, sickness, work commitments, etc and leaves a lone voice at the Borough Council on issues affecting Stanley and Stanley Common.

Councillors (of whatever party) cannot be in two places at the same time, and it is a matter of public record that the current Borough Councillor for Stanley and Stanley Common Ward is often unable to attend their Parish Council meetings - I say this simply as an observation, not a criticism - whereas Dale Abbey Parish Council meetings are regularly attended by two of the three Borough Councillors for West Hallam and Dale Abbey Ward, hopefully helping to provide effective liaison between the two tiers of authority.

There is undoubtedly strength in numbers and the community of interest that would be achieved through the representation of Stanley and Stanley Common in strong two and three member wards, respectively, would I believe have a positive impact on local residents.

Whilst comprising separate and distinct communities, there are many common issues which impact on the combined areas and the location of some public services and community facilities

1 also serves to create a cohesive community relationship across the proposed wards, for example -

 traffic issues arising from the major storage and transport facility operated by Norbert Dentressangle at West Hallam;  the location of two doctors' surgeries in West Hallam also serving Stanley and Stanley Common

 public transport provision in the area - where very topically there is currently a threat to evening and Sunday bus services which could leave West Hallam and Stanley Common without an evening or Sunday service to or  there is the West Hallam, Stanley, Stanley Common and Mapperley (Amber Valley) Churches' covenant, signed in January 2009, which is the fruit of many years' ecumenical working across the villages, which is still developing today  all of the village primary schools are Church of schools; each parish church nominates one or more of the school governors. These church based "foundation" governors work alongside the Rector, whose united benefice includes West Hallam, Stanley and Stanley Common  There is a strong community spirit in the area - for example the 10th Ilkeston (West Hallam) Scouts have their headquarters in Stanley Common and a strong membership is drawn from both West Hallam and Stanley Common; West Hallam Juniors Football Club operates a team which plays in Stanley Common as their 'home ground'.

Aside from these specific examples, I know that the many community events held in the area (such as well dressings, open gardens, etc) are well supported across the individual communities.

It is also worth mentioning that the two new wards proposed for West Hallam & Stanley Common and Little Eaton & Stanley together fit exactly into the County Council Division of Breadsall & West Hallam and represent a simple way of bringing the electorate numbers within the variance criteria, whilst still keeping the status quo for everywhere except Stanley & Stanley Common Parish.

Again thinking of practicalities, there are reasonable road links across the proposed wards so that they can be easily traversed, ensuring that all electors in the wards can engage in the affairs and activities of all parts of it, should they so wish, without having to travel through an adjoining ward.

I am sure these comments will be given due consideration and I look forward to seeing the Commission's proposals in due course.

Yours faithfully

Bruce Broughton

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