Kingsley, Paul
From: Bradley, Joe (CEO) on behalf of Cllr.Baxter > Sent: 24 January 2017 13:45 To: reviews Subject: Boundary Commissioner’s Review of the District Attachments: Summary of Labour Group proposals.doc; Labour Group rewarding submission NEDDC.doc
Dear Sir
Please find attached proposals from the Labour Group at North East Derbyshire District Council regarding the Boundary Commissioner’s Review of the District. A hard copy will follow in the post.
If you require anything further please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Graham Baxter,M.B.E. Leader of the Council North East Derbyshire District Council District Council Offices 2013, Mill Lane, Wingerworth Chesterfield S42 6NG
Working with others we are improving quality of life in North East Derbyshire, ensuring it is a great place to live and work. Find out more at www.ne- derbyshire.gov.uk.
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1 NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL
LABOUR GROUP REWARDING SUBMISSION
Summary
This document sets out the submission of the Labour Group in response to the Local Government Boundary Commission’s invitation to submit proposals for rewarding the North East Derbyshire District Council based on 53 councillors.
The proposals set out the rationale for the amendments to ward boundaries and
The name of the proposed ward The number of councillors for each proposed ward The projected electorate for each proposed ward, and The new electoral variance for each proposed ward
In making its submission, the Labour Group has had full regard to the Commission’s guidance, rules and criteria in its deliberations, namely to
Deliver electoral equality for local electors Reflect the interests and identities of local communities, and Promote effective and convenient local government
A summary of the outcome of the rewarding proposals is attached.
In summary, the Labour Group’s proposals will ensure that:-
All electoral variances are within the +/-10% criteria set by the Commission All proposals provide good equality of representation across the North East Derbyshire District The proposals address the significant imbalances by making minimal changes to existing well defined ward boundaries The changes will not have a significant divisive impact on existing communities Where changes are made, they will provide stronger, clearer and more identifiable ward boundaries
Background Information
The North East Derbyshire District Council area has very distinct communities in its urban and rural areas. In preparing its rewarding proposals, the Labour Group has recognised the need to ensure that its proposals reflect and maintain the various distinct interests and identities of the communities.
The current ward boundaries determined during the last review in 1999 are largely based around the towns and village settlements and the rural areas reflecting the parishes.
- 1 - The North East Derbyshire District Council area is wholly parished and the Labour Group recognises that in a small number of cases its proposals will impact on parish electoral arrangements.
Based on the electorate forecast for 2022 North East Derbyshire has 4 of its current 25 wards with imbalances greater than +/- 10%. The electorate forecast for 2022 is 81,682 an increase of 2022 electors (+2.5%) from 2016.
To achieve overall electoral equality according to the 2022 forecast, each councillor should represent 1,541 electors.
REWARDING PROPOSALS
The issues in each existing ward have been considered below:-
Killamarsh East Ward
Killamarsh East Ward is forecast to have a variance of 0% and returns 2 Councillors.
The Labour Group proposes no changes to this ward.
Killamarsh West Ward
Killamarsh West Ward is forecast to have a variance of -4% and returns 3 Councillors.
It is proposed to transfer polling district TB from the Renishaw Ward comprising 156 electors in the village of Spinkhill to Killamarsh West Ward.
The 2022 electorate forecast for Killamarsh West Ward is 4425 + 156 electors = 4581 electors ÷ 3 councillors = 1527 electors per councillor. This gives a variance of -1%
This proposal both improves electoral equality in Killamarsh West Ward and contributes towards improving electoral equality in Renishaw Ward (see below).
Spinkhill has public transport links to Killamarsh and its shopping and leisure facilities.
It should be noted that Spinkhill is part of the Eckington Parish and this change will need to be reflected in the parish electoral arrangements.
Renishaw Ward & Eckington North and South Wards
It is proposed that the remainder of the Renishaw Ward (without the Spinkhill polling district TB) is merged with the Eckington South Ward and the boundary between Eckington North and South wards redrawn.
This proposal will create a 3 member Eckington South and Renishaw Ward and a 2 member Eckington North Ward. - 2 - Merging the Renishaw Ward with the Eckington Wards is supported in terms of community identity in that both wards are also part of the Eckington Parish.
Renishaw ward also forms part of the same County Division as Eckington.
Changes to Eckington South and Eckington North ward boundaries.
To transfer from Eckington South to Eckington North a small area comprising 173 electors in the following streets:-
Moss Beck Court Moss Rise Place Sitwell Street 1,3,5, & 77 to 93 West End View Berry Avenue 1& 3 West Street (even nos.) 2-18 & 68-94
To transfer from Eckington North to Eckington South and Renishaw Ward a small area comprising 31 electors in the following streets:-
Market Street 10-18, 18A, 22B, 24 Freemans Court 1-12 Angel Court, Angel House
The transfer of these small areas between Eckington North and Eckington South will both improve electoral equality and provide clearer identifiable ward boundaries. Neither will be detrimental to community interests.
The 2022 electorate forecast for Eckington North is 2893 + 173 (from Eckington South) = 3066 – 31 electors (transferred to Eckington South) = 3035 electors ÷ 2 councillors = 1518 electors per councillor. This gives a variance of -1%.
The 2022 electorate forecast for the combined Eckington South and Renishaw Ward is 4721 (Eckington South less 173 electors transferred to Eckington North + 31 electors transferred from Eckington North + Renishaw Ward less 156 electors transferred to Killamarsh West).
This is a total of 4721 electors ÷ 3 councillors = 1574 electors per councillor. This gives a variance of +2%.
North East Derbyshire – the remainder of the Northern part of the area Overview
Dronfield is a distinct urban area and it is proposed that the electoral inequality in this area should be considered separately to the rural wards which surround it.
The 2022 electorate forecast for the current wards of Coal Aston (-11%), Dronfield North (+7%), Dronfield South –(8%), Dronfield Woodhouse (-7%) and Gosforth Valley (-9%) is 17,363. - 3 - This represents 21% of the total District Council electorate (down from 23% in 1999). In terms of equality of representation its proportionate entitlement of councillors should be 11 councillors and not the current 12. (53 councillors x 21%).
A reduction of 1 councillor in this area could be used to improve electoral equality in the southern part of the district, where the inequality is greater, if an additional councillor was allocated to address the increase in electorate in the Tupton and Grassmoor wards.
The proposals for the 5 Dronfield Ward are therefore based on its proportionate entitlement of councillors, namely 11 councillors and not 12. The effect of this will be to improve equality both in Dronfield, without detriment to community interests, and facilitate an improvement in equality in the southern part of the district.
Dronfield North (+7%) and Coal Aston (-11%)
It is proposed to redraw the ward boundaries between Dronfield North and Coal Aston to improve equality by transferring from Dronfield North to Coal Aston 346 electors in the Derwent Road/Summerfield Road area and part Green Lane.
This would comprise the following properties:-
Derwent Close Derwent Road Trent Grove Avon Close Summerfield Road Green Lane (part) Evens 86b to 122, 70A to 86 Odds 93, 101, 109, 115-125 The Holme Orchard house, Green Lane
The 2022 electorate forecast for Dronfield North is 3305 – 346 = 2959 ÷ 2 councillors = 1480 electors per councillor. This gives a variance of -4%
The 2022 electorate forecast for Coal Aston is 2753 + 346 = 3099 ÷ 2 councillors = 1550 electors per councillor. This gives a variance of 0.58%
This would improve equality in Coal Aston from (-11%) to (+0.58%) and in Dronfield North from (+7%) to (-4%).
Dronfield South, Gosforth Valley and Dronfield Woodhouse
For the reasons explained earlier in this document it is proposed that between them these three wards should elect one less councillor.
The suggestions outlined below would mean that Dronfield South and Gosforth Valley would continue to elect 3 councillors but Dronfield Woodhouse would elect only 1 councillor. The suggestions would meet the Commissions criteria as follows:-
- 4 - By improving electoral equality
providing strong, clear and identifiable boundaries along the route of the Dronfield Bypass between Dronfield South and Gosforth Valley and Carr Lane/B6056 between Dronfield Woodhouse and Gosforth Valley
making it more convenient for councillors to represent electors, particularly east and west of the Dronfield By pass
by maintaining community ties
Dronfield South
It is suggested that the western boundary of Dronfield South Ward should be the Dronfield by-pass. This would mean transferring from Gosforth Valley Ward polling district LC comprising 723 electors. This includes properties in the area of Gosforth Lane, Victoria Street and Crofton Rise.
The 2022 electorate forecast for Dronfield South is 4233 + 723 from polling district LC = 4956 ÷ 3 councillors = 1652 electors per councillor giving a variance of +7%.
Gosforth Valley
In the case of Gosforth Valley it is suggested that, in addition to transferring to Dronfield South polling district LC, its northern boundary with Dronfield Woodhouse should be redrawn to include polling district IC from the Dronfield Woodhouse ward. This would mean transferring 1,317 electors from Dronfield Woodhouse to Gosforth Valley. This includes properties bounded by Carr Lane, Leakbrook Road and Pentland Road, including Wentworth Road, Ravensdale Road.
The 2022 electorate forecast for Gosforth Valley is 4217 less 723 electors in polling district LC = 3494 + 1,317 electors in polling district IC = 4811 ÷ 3 councillors = 1604 electors per councillor giving a variance of +4%.
Dronfield Woodhouse
Redrawing the ward boundaries as indicated above would mean that Dronfield Woodhouse would become a 1 member ward.
The 2022 electorate forecast for Dronfield Woodhouse is 2855 less 1,317 electors = 1538 electors giving a variance of 0%.
Ridgeway and Marsh Lane, Unstone and Barlow and Holmesfield
It is proposed that the under mentioned rural and parished wards should remain as per the existing ward boundaries:-
- 5 - Ridgeway and Marsh Lane -6% Unstone -3% Barlow and Holmesfield +5%
There is little or no development planned in these areas and any changes to marginally improve electoral equality will require the creation of a small parish ward with little or no community identity with the wards they would be transferring into or out of. In the circumstances the Labour Group are of the opinion that they have acceptable levels of electoral equality.
Overview the Southern part of the area Clay Cross, Grassmoor, Tupton, North Wingfield and Wingerworth areas
The 2022 electorate forecast reflects the housing growth in the wards in these areas, particularly in the Grassmoor and Tupton Wards which are +19% and +20% respectively.
This part of the North East Derbyshire district has the following wards which potentially could be affected by improving equality of representation in the Grassmoor and Tupton Wards.
Grassmoor (+19%) Tupton (+20%) Wingerworth (+6%) North Wingfield Central (-4%) Clay Cross North (+6%) Clay Cross South (-7%)
The combined electorate forecast for these 6 wards is 24,461. This represents 30% of the total District Council electorate. In terms of equality of representation its proportionate entitlement of councillors is 16 councillors and not 15. (53 councillors x 30%).
It is proposed that if the number of councillors in this area is increased to 16 equality could be improved in this part of the district by creating a new 3 member Grassmoor ward by redrawing the boundary between Tupton Ward and Grassmoor Ward. It should be noted that further considerable housing development is planned for this area beyond 2022.
The following proposals are based on the premise that an additional councillor (from the northern part of the district) is allocated to the southern part of the district.
Tupton Ward (2 Member)
To transfer to a new Grassmoor Ward all new development planned in polling district XC. Polling District XC is forecast in 2022 to have an electorate of 1043.
The new development in the Burton Street area (south of Mill Lane) and the proposed development north of Mill Lane off Derby Road (The Avenue) together is forecast to comprise an electorate of 663 electors in 2022.
- 6 -
Only the existing area comprising Adlington Avenue, Greenway, Halcyon Approach, Mill Crescent and Mill Lane, comprising 380 electors will be retained in the Tupton Ward.
Tupton ward comprises 3697 – 663 (new developments to transfer to Grassmoor) = 3034 ÷ 2 councillors = 1517 electors per councillor. This would give a variance of -2%.
New 3 Member ward Grassmoor
Grassmoor Ward is forecast in 2022 to comprise 3654 electors + 663 electors from Tupton Ward (the 2 areas of new development, Burton Street and The Avenue) = 4317 ÷ 3 councillors = 1439 electors per councillor. This gives a variance of -7%.
This level of variance is within the tolerance of +/- 10% set by the Commission and whilst not directly relevant to this review it should be noted that considerable further housing development is planned in this area beyond 2022.
Parish implication
It should be noted that polling district XC which comprises 1043 electors in the Tupton Ward (including Adlington Avenue area, and the new developments of Burton Street and The Avenue) forms the Adlington Parish Ward of Wingerworth.
The proposals for Tupton Ward and the new Grassmoor ward will require amendments to the Parish Ward boundaries.
North Wingfield Central Ward
North Wingfield Central Ward has an acceptable variance of -4% and reflects the community it serves.
It is proposed that North Wingfield Central Ward should remain unchanged.
Clay Cross North and Clay Cross South Wards
Clay Cross North and Clay Cross South have electoral variances of +6 and -7% within the Commission’s +/- 10% tolerance and it is proposed that they remain unchanged.
Holmewood and Heath Ward
Holmewood and Heath ward has an acceptable variance of (-2%).
It is proposed that it remains unchanged.
Ashover, Brampton & Walton, Shirland and Sutton Wards
Similar to approach taken in the north of the District, it is proposed that the under mentioned rural and parished wards should remain as per the existing ward boundaries:-
- 7 -
Ashover 4% Brampton & Walton 0% Shirland -1% Sutton Ward +6%
There is little or no development planned in these areas and any changes to marginally improve electoral equality will require the creation of a small parish ward with little or no community identity with the wards they would be transferring into or out of. In the circumstances it would be appropriate to propose that they have acceptable levels of electoral equality.
Pilsley and Morton Ward
Pilsley and Morton Ward has a variance of -8% and is largely a rural area with little or no development forecast.
In order to improve the variance in this area it would be necessary to seek to redraw the ward boundaries with the surrounding wards, namely Shirland, Clay Cross and North Wingfield. It is not apparent that this could be easily achieved whilst maintaining community identity simply to seek a marginal improvement in equality.
The Labour Group therefore proposes no changes to this ward.
- 8 -
APPENDIX “A”
SUMMARY OF LABOUR GROUP PROPOSALS Area Existing Existing Existing Proposed Proposed Proposed Proposal Ward No. of Ward Ward Variance No. of Councillors variance 2022 Councillors Change or 2022 No change % % Ashover Ashover 1 4 Ashover 4 1 No change
Barlow & Barlow & 1 5 Barlow & 5 1 No change Holmesfield Holmesfield Holmesfield
Brampton & Brampton & 2 0 Brampton & 0 2 No change Walton Walton Walton
Clay Cross Clay Cross 3 6 Clay Cross 6 3 No change North North
Clay Cross 2 -7 Clay Cross -7 2 No change South South
Dronfield Coal Aston 2 -11 Coal Aston 1 2 Change to boundary with Dronfield North
Dronfield 2 7 Dronfield -4 2 Change to boundary with North North Coal Aston
Dronfield 3 -8 Dronfield 7 3 Change to boundary with South South Gosforth Valley
Gosforth 3 -9 Gosforth 4 3 Changes to boundary with Valley Valley Dronfield South and Dronfield Woodhouse
Dronfield 2 -7 Dronfield 0 1 Change to boundary with Woodhouse Woodhouse Gosforth Valley and number of councillors reduced by one Eckington Eckington 2 -6 Eckington -1 2 Minor change to boundary North North with Eckington South
Eckington 2 -1 Eckington +2 3 Minor change to boundary South South and between Eckington South Renishaw and North and inclusion of Renishaw Ward without Spinkhill Parish.
Renishaw Renishaw 1 28 n/a n/a n/a Spinkhill merged with Killamarsh West and remainder with Eckington South Grassmoor Grassmoor 2 19 Grassmoor -7 3 Change to boundary with Tupton Ward and additional councillor
Holmewood Holmewood 2 -2 Holmewood -2 2 No change and Heath and Heath and Heath
Killamarsh Killamarsh 2 0 Killamarsh 0 2 No change East East
Killamarsh 3 -4 Killamarsh -1 3 Inclusion of Spinkhill West West Parish from Renishaw Ward
North North 3 -4 North -4 3 No change Wingfield Wingfield Wingfield Central Central
Pilsley and Pilsley and 3 -8 Pilsley and -8 3 No change Morton Morton Morton
Ridgeway and Ridgeway and 1 -6 Ridgeway and -6 1 No change Marsh Lane Marsh Lane Marsh Lane
Shirland Shirland 3 1 Shirland 1 3 No change
Sutton Sutton 2 6 Sutton 6 2 No change
Tupton Tupton 2 20 Tupton -2 2 Change to boundary with Grassmoor
Unstone Unstone 1 -3 Unstone -3 1 No change
Wingerworth Wingerworth 3 6 Wingerworth 6 3 No change