Hedgerley Parish Council Comments on SBDC Ward Boundaries Consultation

Hedgerley Parish Council (HPC) is opposed to any change to the District Ward boundaries which would result in there being more than one District Councillor representing the Civil Parish of Hedgerley. This is because the single point of focus for District representation that exists now, and that works so well in the practical administration of Hedgerley, would be lost.

We know that having one District Councillor to one or many parish Councils is effective. (The present District Councillor attends HPC and also Fulmer Parish Council meetings.) HPC appreciates that having many District Councillors to one Parish Council could be appropriate for large parishes. However HPC does not see how having many District Councillors to many Parish Councils could work at a practical level. Which of the District Councillors would attend HPC meetings? Would all of them attend? Perhaps there would be a rota, but how would there be continuity in addressing the issues pertinent to Hedgerley?

In terms of alignment with other communities: According to the SBDC ward profile: the Hedgerley & Fulmer ward has a population of 1525, is made up of 12 hectares of buildings (0.9% of ward area) and 1112 hectares of green‐space (91% of ward area). In contrast the Farnham Royal ward has a population of 5218, is 24 hectares of buildings (6% of ward area) and just 197 hectares of green‐ space (49% of ward area). In summary, Hedgerley could be considered to be rural whereas Farnham Royal is largely residential. This difference in ward profile is further highlighted in the population density figures of 12.44 persons per hectare versus 1.12 persons per hectare for Hedgerley.

In essence, the Farnham Common and Farnham Royal is one entity (as is reflected in the strong, identifiable and historical parish boundary of Farnham Royal), a sizable residential conurbation that aligns along the A355 Farnham Road from Slough towards Beaconsfield.

In contrast Hedgerley and Fulmer are small villages in the shadow of the M40 and perhaps more reliant on Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield, with their greater range of shops (including two large superstores), than Farnham Common. Hedgerley is predominately agricultural land and green‐ space. Hedgerley residents strongly indentify with their own community, and with its many thriving clubs and societies, its shops, the church and the public house ‐ both of which are very much at the centre of the community. After that, there is more affinity with Fulmer than with the Farnhams. Fundamentally, residents in Hedgerley do not feel that they have issues in common with Farnham Royal.

The top end of Farnham Common is known locally as ‘Far Hedge’, which suggests that there is a sense that it falls within Hedgerley’s sphere of influence. Also, many children from Hedgerley attend school in Farnham Common: the infant school falls within the proposed new Farnham & Hedgerley ward; the junior school remaining in Farnham Royal ward.

HPC is broadly supportive of the initiative to make efficiencies through a reduction in the number of District councillors, provided that the integrity of the relationship between HPC and a single District Councillor is maintained. However, there does not seem to be any net reduction in councillors in the scenario where there are three District Councillors in a Combined Hedgerley & Farnham Royal ward. Clearly, Civil Parish boundaries are strong identifiable boundaries which represent the lower level of local administration so it makes sense to align the District Ward boundaries along these lines, as per present.

In conclusion, HPC would prefer for the status quo to prevail i.e. one District Councillor for Hedgerley who has an understanding of the issues relevant to Hedgerley. If change is needed, then a ward boundary which maintains the integrity of this relationship could be acceptable, and therefore HPC supports the proposal for a new ward of Farnham & Hedgerley with one District Councillor, as shown in Map 1 (attached). HPC does however strongly object to any proposal which results in greater than one District Councillor for Hedgerley because of the loss of focused local administration. HPC also strongly objects to any proposal to create one large ward of Hedgerley with Farnham Royal because the community of Hedgerley does not have commonality with Farnham Royal.

Neil Coxhead Vice Chairman Hedgerley Parish Council

Attachments:

Map 1: Current & Proposed Ward Boundaries for Farnham Royal Hedgerley & Stoke Poges source: http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/council_democracy/consultations/current_consultations/new_ward _boundaries.aspx

Current & Proposed Ward Boundaries for Farnham Royal, Hedgerley & Stoke Poges

Key

Proposed Ward Boundary Current Ward Boundary

Farnham & Hedgerley 1 Councillor

Hedgerley & Fulmer

See Farnham & Hedgerley Inset Map

Farnham Royal Stoke Poges 2 Councillors