Dr Phil Norrey, Chief Executive, Devon County Council, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QD
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Dr Phil Norrey, Chief Executive, Devon County Council, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QD 29 September 2015 Dear Dr Norrey, ELECTORAL REVIEW OF DEVON: FURTHER LIMITED CONSULTATION IN NORTH DEVON Following consultation on draft recommendations for Devon, I am writing to inform you of the Commission’s decision to undertake a further period of limited consultation in North Devon prior to publication of its final recommendations. During the consultation on the draft recommendations for Devon, the Commission received 199 submissions, including support for significantly different division patterns in part of North Devon. In light of representations received during the recent consultation, the Commission is proposing to make significant alterations to its draft recommendations in the North Devon area of the county. We are therefore inviting further comment on these alternative proposals. Copies of all representation can be found on the Commission’s website - http://www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/south-west/devon/devon-county-council This period of further limited consultation commences today, 29 September 2015, and closes on 26 October 2015. During this period the Commission welcomes comments on its proposed further draft recommendations for divisions in North Devon. Electorate information for the area subject to further consultation can be found at the end of this letter. The Commission’s final recommendations for the whole county, including those areas subject to further limited consultation, will now be published in January 2016. Enclosed with this letter is a map illustrating the Commission’s further proposals in North Devon. North Devon In North Devon the draft recommendations were for the single-member divisions of Barnstaple North, Barnstaple South, Braunton Rural, Combe Martin Rural, Fremington Rural, Ilfracombe, Landkey & Chittlehampton and South Molton. These divisions would Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Millbank Tower, Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP Tel: 0330 500 1525; [email protected]; www.lgbce.org.uk have 7% more, 4% more, 8% fewer, 5% fewer, 9% fewer, 8% more, 4% fewer and 7% fewer electors than the county average by 2020, respectively. In response to the draft recommendations the Commission received 18 submissions commenting specifically on the North Devon area. Two submissions supported the draft recommendations however 14 submissions were in opposition to the proposals. The objections were regarding the divisions of Combe Martin Rural, Ilfracombe, Landkey & Chittlehampton and South Molton. The Commission carefully considered the evidence received with regard to the North Devon area and noted that while it had not received a complete alternative proposal a wealth of evidence was provided by the parishes in the district. The Commission therefore identified an alternative pattern of four divisions covering the Combe Martin Rural, Ilfracombe, Landkey & Chittlehampton and South Molton areas. Given that the proposed pattern of divisions has not been consulted on previously, the Commission decided to conduct this period of further limited consultation to seek the views of local residents and organisations on this alternative pattern of divisions. Further Consultation The Commission is now undertaking a further period of limited consultation on the electoral divisions in North Devon. The Commission would like to hear whether you support its proposed changes and the reasons for your views. Representations must be submitted to the Commission by 26 October 2015. The Commission has not finalised its recommendations and, in light of further evidence, may make further revisions to its proposals in North Devon. We therefore encourage those who have a view on the proposals to write to us, whether they agree with them or not. All representations received during the consultation period will be taken into account and the Commission will then consider whether or not to further amend its proposals prior to the publication of its final recommendations. Representations should be made in writing to [email protected] or: Review Officer (Devon) Local Government Boundary Commission for England 14th Floor Millbank Tower Millbank London SW1P 4QP Any respondents who submit comments during this period of the review, and do not want all or any part of the response or name made public, must state this clearly in the response. Any such request should explain why confidentiality is necessary, but all information in responses may be subject to publication or disclosure as required by law (in particular under the Freedom of Information Act 2000). If you have any queries, please contact Mark Pascoe on 0330 500 1278, or [email protected]. Yours sincerely Jolyon Jackson CBE Chief Executive [email protected] 0330 500 1290 ELECTORATE INFORMATION – divisions subject to further consultation North Devon district LGBCE Further draft recommendations Variance Variance Number of Number of Number of Electorate from Electorate from Division name electors per electors per councillors (2014) average (2020) average councillor councillor % % Combe Martin 1 10,003 10,003 0% 10,055 10,055 -3% Rural Ilfracombe 1 9,323 9,323 -7% 9,322 9,322 -11% Landkey & 1 7,493 7,493 -25% 11,475 11,475 10% Chittlehampton South Molton 1 9,935 9,935 0% 9,934 9,934 -5% Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Millbank Tower, Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP Tel: 0330 500 1525; [email protected]; www.lgbce.org.uk .