Local Government Boundary Commission For Report No. 135 LOCAL GOVBRNJMT

BOUNDARY COMMISSION

FOR ENGLAND

REPORT NO. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND

CHAIRMAN Sir Edmund Compton, GCB,KB£. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

Mr J M Raukin.QC.

MEMBERS The Countess Of Albe.rarle, DBE. Mr T C Benfield. Professor Michael Sir Andrew Wheatley, Mr P B Young, CB£. To the Rt Han Roy Jenkins, MP Secretary of State for the Home Department

PROPOSALS SUR FUTURE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE . IN THE COUNT* OF

1* We, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, having carried out our initial review of the electoral arrangements for the Bassetlaw district, in accordance with the requirements of section 63 of, and Schedule 9 to, the Local Government Act 1972, present our proposals for the future electoral arrangements for that district.

2, In accordance with the procedure laid down in section 60(l) and (2) of the 1972 Act, Notice was given on 13 May 1974 that we were to undertake this review* This was Incorporated in a consultation letter addressed to the Bassetlaw District Council, copies of which were circulated to the Nottinghamshire County Council, parish councils and parish meetings in Bassetlaw district, the Member of Parliament for the constituency concerned and the headquarters of the main political parties. Copies were also sent to the editors of the local newspapers circulating in the area and of the local government press. Notices inserted in the local press announced the start of the review and invited comments from members of the public and from interested bodies*

3. The Bassetlaw District Council were invited to prepare a draft scheme of representation for our consideration. When doing so, they were asked to observe the rules laid down In Schedule 11 to the Local Government Act 1972, and the guide- lines which we set out in our Report No 6 about the proposed size of the council and the proposed number of councillors for each ward* They were also asked tc take Into account any views expressed to them following their consultation with local Interests, We therefore asked that they should publish details of their provisional proposals about a month before they submitted their draft scheme to us, thus allowing an opportunity for local comment.

4* The Council have passed a resolution under section 7(4)ft>) of the Local Government Act 1972 requesting the Secretary of State to provide for a system of elections by thirds.

5. On 1 October 1974 the Bassetlaw District Council presented their draft scheme of -\ representation. They proposed to divide the area of the district into 25 wards, « each returning from 1 to 3 members to give a total council of 49*

6. We considered the draft scheme submitted by the Council together with the comments we had received about it and two alternative schemes which had been submitted. We noted that the Council's draft scheme had caused some local dissatisfaction, particularly with regard to their proposals for the rural area. We decided therefore to adopt the District Council's draft scheme for the urban area but to propose an alternative grouping of parishes in the rural area to accord more nearly with local wishes. We formulated our draft proposals accordingly.

7* On 13 November 1974, we issued our draft proposals and these were sent to all whoihad received our consultation letter and to those who had made comments. The Council were asked to make these draft proposals, and the accompaying maps which defined the proposed ward boundaries, available for inspection at their main offices* Representations on our draft proposals were invited from those to whom they were circulated and, by public notices, from members of the public and interested bodies. We asked that any comments should reach us by 10 January 1975.

8. We received comments in favour of our draft proposals but there was opposition . to our proposals for certain wards and a cumber of modifications were suggested. We considered that we needed further information to enable us to reach a conclusion. Therefore, in accordance with section 65(2) of the 1972 Act and at our; request, you appointed Mr J N Mans on as an Assistant Commissioner to hold a local meeting and report to us*

9. The Assistant Commissioner held the meeting at on 23 October 1975 and thereafter visited the areas which were the subject of dispute* A copy of his report to us is attached at Schedule 1 to this report.

10* The Assistant Commissioner formed the opinion that our draft proposals should be approved subject to the following modifications: (1) That Barnby Moor Parish be transferred from the Elkealey Ward to the Sutton Ward; (2) That 2 councillors be allocated to the Ward, with retirements in "Years 1 and 2", thus producing a council of 50; (3) That the area of District No 9 in Polling District "F" in the present South-West Ward of Worksop be transferred from the proposed North-West Ward to the proposed South Ward; U) That the area enclosed by Lincoln St»part of Pelham St,part of Netherton Hd, Low Town St and part of Cheapside be transferred from the South Ward to the South-East Ward of Worksop; (5) That the boundary between the South-East Ward of Worksop and Welbeck Ward be changed so as to follow a line from the roundabout junction of the A.57, A.I. and A.614 roads thence south-westwards along the A,57 road to its junction with the road to , thence southwards along the said road to (but not through) the entrance gates of Clumber Park, thence south-westwards along the public road to its junction with Clumber Road near Trumans Lodge, thence north-westwards along the said road to its junction with Road and that the areas south of this line which are enclosed by this line and the boundary lines proposed by the Commission be added to the Welbeck Ward.

11. We considered again our draft proposals in the light of the comments which we had received and of the Assistant Commissioner's report. We noted that the

modifications in boundaries which the Assistant Commissioner had recommended

were based on his assessment of the adjustments needed to conform with the

communications and local ties. On this basis, we concluded that we should

accept the modifications which the Assistant Commissioner had recommended.

Subject to these modifications, therefore, we hereby confirm our draft

proposals as our final proposals.

12. Details of these final proposals are set out in Schedules 2 and 3 to this

report and on the attached maps. Schedule 2 gives the names of the wards

and the number of councillors to be returned by each. Schedule 5 shows the order of retirements of councillors. The boundaries of the new wards are defined on the attached maps.

PUBLICATION

13. In accordance with Section 60(5)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 a

copy of this report and a copy of the maps are being sent to Bassetlaw District Council and will be available for public inspection at the Council offices at Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Copies of this report are also being sent to those who received the consultation letter and to those who made comments. A detailed description of the boundaries of the proposed wards as

defined on the maps is set out in Schedule 4 to this report.

L.S.

Signed

EDMUND COMPTON (Chairman)

JOHN M RANKIN (Deputy Chairman)

DIANA ALBO1ARLE

T C BENFIEU)

MICHAEL CHISHOLM

ANDREW WHEATLEY

F B YOUNG

DAVID R SMITH (Secretary)

27 November 1975 SCHEDULE 1

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION PC-H ENGLAND

REPORT OF A MEETING to consider

THE DRAFT PROPOSALS FOR THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

in

THE DISTRICT OF BASSETLAW

JOHN N. HANSON, Assistant Commissioner, The Warren, Hertingfordbury, HERTFORD, 6th November, 1975 Herts. To: THE SECRETARY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND.

REVIEW OF ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT OP BASSETLAW

Pursuant to my appointment by the Secretary of State as Assistant Commissioner to hold a local enquiry or carry out any consultation or investigation with respect to the review "by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England of the electoral arrangements for the District of Bassetlaw, I conducted a local meeting at the Town Hall, Worksop, on Thursday the 23rd Octoher, 1975- Attendance The following persons attended the meeting:-

NAME REPRESENTING or STATUS

N. Broadhead Solicitor, Baseetlaw District Council H. Rahhitt Councillor and Leader, Bassetlaw District Council G.S. Firth Deputy Director of Administration, Notts. C.C. A.J. Goulden Notts. C.C. F. Rudder Councillor, Notts. C.C. P. Wright Councillor, Notts. C.C. W.J. Rickards Chairman - Northern Area Committee of Notts. Association of Local Councils F. Wright Independent Group of Bassetlaw District Councillors. North-East Area Committee of Notts. Association of Local Councils Mrs. A. Lees Barnby Moor Parish Council A. Hornsby Barnby Moor Parish Council J. Thompson "Barnby Moor Parish Council Mrs. S. Jackson Labour Party. Chairman Hodsock Parish Council J .H. Lacey Vice-Chairman, Carlton-in-Lindrick Parish Council. Councillor Bassetlaw District Council -2-

B. Simcox Leader of Conservative Group and Councillor Bassetlaw District Council G.B. Tew Conservative Group and Councillor Bassetlaw District Council (Sutton Ward) L. Tandy Conservative Group and Councillor Bassetlaw District Council (Worksop South-West Ward) C.B. Ostick Conservative Group and Councillor Bassetlaw District Council ( North Ward) A. Taylor Bassetlaw Liberal Association. Vice- Chairman East Erayton Parish Council M.W. Horrocks Councillor Bassetlaw District Council (Non-party) (Elkesley Ward). Chairman Elkesley Parish Council A.M. Baird Bassetlaw Constituency Labour Party T. Miller Notts. Association of Parish Councils. Community Council for Notts. L.W. Firman Northern Area, Notts. Association of Local Councils. Hampton Parish Council. S. Coffey Worksop Guardian. R. Popes Retford Times. B. Mentz Star.

Preliminaries I introduced myself as the Assistant Commissioner appointed to hold the meeting and to report to the Commission. I explained that it was not to be a formal inquiry but an informal meeting to encourage a full exchange of views giving everyone who wished an adequate opportunity to speak or to comment upon other views expressed at the meeting or previously. Mr. N. Broadhead, Solicitor, Baeaetlaw District Council, confirmed that notice of the meeting had been duly published as required by the Commission's letter of 20 June, 1975 as amended by their letter of 14 July, 1975- Commission's Draft Proposals The Commission's Draft Proposals were based on a combination of (a) the Bassetlaw District Council's proposals for the urban areas of Worksop and East Retford, and (b) the alternative proposals for the rural areas submitted by the Nottinghamshire Association of Local Councils. The Commission's proposals modified these two sets of proposals so as to include Barnby Moor Parish in the Elkesley Ward instead of the Sutton Ward, to reduce the representation of the Hodsock Ward from 2 councillors to one and to make minor boundary adjustments. -3-

Tfae Commission's proposals produced a Council of 49 (the same number as proposed by the District Council) and constituted as follows:-

NO. OF PROPOSED . NO. OP ELECTORATE ELECTORS WARD COUNCILLORS 1974 PER COUNCILLOR

Beckingham 1 1482 1482 Blyth 1 1295 1295 Carlton 3 4210 1403 Clayworth 1 1245 1245 East Markhara 1 1383 1383 East Retford (East) 3 5201 1734 East Retford (North) 3 4147 1382 East Retford (West) 3 4559 1519 Elkesley 1 1442 1442 Evert on 1 I486 I486 Harworth East 2 2992 1496 Harworth West 2 2574 128? Hodsock 1 2164 2164 Misterton 1 1566 1566 Hampton 1 1126 1126 Ran skill 1 1112 1112 Sturton 1 1432 1432 Sutton 1 1300 1300 Trent 1 1032 1032 1 1405 1405 Welbeck 1 1158 1158 Work sop (East) 3 4308 1436 Workeop (North) 3 4073 1358 Worksop (North East) 3 3312 1104 Worksop (Horth West) 3 4424 1475 Worksop (South) 3 5049 1683 Worksop (South East) 3 4881 1627 TOTALS 49 70358 Average:- 1436 Objections to and. Observations on the Commission's Proposals Objections raised at the meeting were in respect of (i) Elkesley, Sutton and Wards, (ii) Hodsock and Carlton Wards, (iii) East Retford North and East Wards, (iv) Worksop North-West, South and South-East Wards and wards * proposed by the Conservative Group. Observations were also made on the range of Elector/Councillor ratios, •* the implications for the formation of county electoral divisions and the grouping of parishes in the rural wards. Elkesley, Sutton and Ranskill Wards. Mr. Hornsby and Mr. Thompson as representatives of Barnby Moor Parish Council submitted their case for Barnby Moor Parish to remain in the Sutton Ward as follows:- "1. In the original proposed revisions for the ward boundaries in the Bassetlaw District, on which we were asked to comment, it was suggested that should come into the Sutton Ward. We intimated that we had no objection to this proposal as we had a certain affinity with Babworth. At no time was it put to us nor did we suggest that we should leave the Sutton Ward as we have a stronger affinity with the existing parishes in that ward. We did not imply it was our wish to be grouped with Babworth chance which ward that Parish was in. "2. In the draft proposals issued on 13 November 1974 Barnby Koor was shown as being transferred to the Elkesley Ward of which Babworth is a constituent Parish. We repeat, we did not in any sense imply that we wished to be in whichever ward Babworth was placed. Except for Babworth we have no common ground with any other parish in the Elkesley Ward. Barnby Moor would be out on a limb and would be as much as ten miles distant from some of the other parishes. The Elkesley Ward would be a long narrow ward as opposed to a compact unit. We would be grouped with people with whom we have had no contact in the past and would be unlikely to have communication with in the future due to lack of tradition and the geographical nature of the ward. We appealed against the proposal to place Barnby Moor in the Elkesley Ward.

"3« Whilst we were still awaiting the outcome of the aforementioned appeal we were surprised to read a press release in the Retford Times of 24 January 1975 intimating that the appropriate Committees of the Notts. County Council and the Bassetlaw District Council had recommended that Barnby Moor now be transferred from the Elkesley Ward into the Ranskill Ward. A reply to this press release was placed in the Retford Times the following week and on 30 January iy75 we wrote to the Secretary of the Local Government Boundary Commission expressing our deep concern about this 0 latest development. At no time was the Parish Council of Barnby Moor con- sulted on the proposed further change. -5-

"We submit therefore the following reasons for Barnby Moor remaining in the Button Ward:

1. It is the express wish of the residents and Parish Council that Barney Moor remain in the Button Ward due to the close association with the constituent parishes and their residents over many years. 2. The existing parishes of the Button Ward form a compact geographical unit with easy and natural communication. 3- The Women's Institute is designated "The Sutton and Barnby Koor Women's Institute". This is a most active organisation and in addition to the friendly and co-operative relationships built up between the women members this generates into family relationships.

"These features do much to maintain and improve the quality of life which we feel should be encouraged at all levels."

Mr. Thompson emphasised the proximity of Barnby Moor to Sutton Village just on the other sida of the level-crossing. The ties of Barnby Koor with adjoining Torworth (Ransklll Ward) were not anything like so close as with Sutton Parish although there was sharing of primary schooling by children of Barnby Moor and Torworth. He did not know how the detachment of part of Barnby Moor containing Bilby came about but,notwithstanding its theoretical detachment, Bilby was in practice an effective part of the Parish.

Mr. Simcox asked, if the detachment of part of the Parish presented a problem, why should not the intervening land, e.g. down to the line of the canal, be added to Barnby Moor Parish. Mr. Horrocka, Chairman of Elkesley Parish Council, did not think the canal would be a suitable boundary as it would include Ranby Hall whose ties were with Babworth. He thought a line north of Ranby Hall such as the road running from Bilby Gate towards Knives Hall Plantation was likely to be unobjectionable. I asked if anyone present saw any objection to this. Wo objection was made. I pointed out that such a change of parish boundaries was a matter for other proceedings and could not be effected by the present review of district wards.

Mr. Thompson mentioned one further possibility that Bilby could be annexed to the adjoining parish of Hodsock. t.'r. Simcox thought this should be ruled out by the comparative remoteness of Bilby from Langold where the bulk of the population of the ward are.

Mr. Firth for the County Council referred to the County Council's decision to recommend the transfer of the Parish of Barnby lloor from Elkesley Wurd to Ranskill Ward, the Parish having in their view a greater affinity with the northern parishes than the southern. The proposed ^Ikealey Ward would be too long. The County Council's proposal v/ould overcome this and by adding 2lR would brine the Ranskill electorate nearer to the average for one Councillor (i.e. from 1112 to 1330).

Mr. Firth agreed that this proposal of the County Council would not necessarily help them to compose county electoral divisions having fairly equal electorates and not dividing district wards. Mr. Horrocks pointed out that putting Barnby Voor in Ranskill Ward instead of Sutton v'/ard as at present would only be relevant to the county electoral review if these two wards were to be put in different divisions and Mr. Firth said he thought this was unlikely. -6-

iiir. Hornsby read and handed in a letter to me from the President of Button and Barnby Moor Women's Institute in the following terms:- "I have been requested at the last meeting of this Institute to record our members feelings and object to the proposals to move the Parish of Barnby Moor from the Sutton Ward for electoral purposes. "We consider such proposals would not serve any useful purpose to the community, indeed it would, by hiving off Barnby Moor divide two adjoining villages, which at present have much in common. "Over the years this Institute has endeavoured to unite, we hope with some success, the social and community spirit in our two villages. Cur Autumn Fayre held on 16th October, 1975 was in aid of the Sutton and Barnby Moor Senior Citizens Outing and for which we raised the sum of £126. "We reject the proposal to include Barnby Moor in with Elkesley as we have no affinity with this area at all, it is far too remote from us. As regards the second proposal to include Barnby Moor in with Hanskill, we can not accept that the close ties at present existing between the communities of Sutton and Barnby Moor should be interfered with and it is our wish that no change shall be made." Mr. Rickards, as Chairman of the Northern Area Committee of the Notts. Association of Local Councils read and handed in his letter to me in the following terms (having reference also to the Hodsock question):- "It is my wish as Chairman of the Northern Area Committee of the Notts. Association of Local Councils, which represents 40 parish councils and parish meetings of Bassetlaw District, to give support to the reasons put forward by the various parish councils today, for their inclusion in particular wards of their choice. The cases put by Barnby Moor and Hodsock warrant special consideration. "The reasons that were put forward in our Alternative Proposals to those put forward by Bassetlaw District Council were done so with the full authority of the peoples concerned and with the close co-operation of our colleagues in the North-Eastern Area Committee. "We feel that the approach made to this particular subject has been made from a non-political point of view and has absorbed all the thoughts and feelings of the parish representatives. In other words direct from the 'Grass Roots'. Each ward has been discussed by people who have intimate knowledge of their areas and their neighbouring parishes. "Pull account has been taken of the terms of reference which where laid down by the Boundary Commission. "Sir, the whole of rural Bassetlaw support the proposals put forward on their behalf by the Northern Area and North Eastern Area Committees of the Notts. Association of Local Councils."

Mr. Rabbit reaffirmed the District Council's proposal for Barnby Moor to be in the Sutton Ward.

Mr. Rudder expressed his agreement with Barnby t'oor Parish Council and, as County Councillor for the Misterton Division which contains Ranskill and Sutton Wards (including Barnby Moor), his opposition to a solution which would put Barnby Moor in Elkesley 'Ward which was and was likely to remain in a different county division. -7-

Mr. Simcox, Leader of the Conservative Group on the District Council, said the Group agreed that Sornby Moor should be kept in. Sutton Ward. He pointed out that the Parish Council's willingness to be joined with Babworth Parish waa only on the assumption that "both parishes would be in the Sutton Ward. He referred to the Sutton and Barnby Moor Women's Institute and said a number of residents of Barnby Moor go to a church in Sutton which is the most convenient to attend. He considered the people of Barnby Moor would feel alienated in the Elkesley Ward having no proximity to or affiliation with it. Similarly there was no social affiliation with the villages in Ranskill Ward.

Hodsock and Carlton Wards

The Commission's proposal would produce Elector/Councillor ratios of 2164:1 (1974) and of 2314:1 (1979). The objectors' proposal for 2 councillors would reduce these to 1082:1 and 1157:1 respectively and Llr. Tew said that he estimated that the electorate involved in a transfer of to Hodsocfc Parish might be in the region of 500 if one took as a possible southern boundary of the transferred area the road known as Rotherham Baulk from the district boundary to the main road A.60 and then a suitable line eastwards to Hodsock Parish Boundary, k'r. Tew said that such a transfer with a reduction of the Carlton Ward1s councillors to 2 was no more than a suggestion for consideration as helping with electoral ratios. It appeared to him that Costhorpe had a separate identity. It was a postal address and he had seen its name on a local signboard. Mr. Rudder said that as most of the people of Hodsock Ward are in Langold it would be easier for one councillor to represent them as compared with other wards with their people widely distributed but lie did not oppose them having 2. Mr. Horrocks said that even after deducting Costhorpe electors Carlton Ward should have 3 councillors.

Mrs. Jackson for Hodsock Parish Council and Langold Labour Party referred to the fact that the Parish used to have 3 representatives on the Rural District Council and said she was sure that one councillor could not adequately represent the Parish. She referred to the increase in the proportion of council houses in Langold to *jQ% since the closure of the pits and to the comparatively high proportion of elderly people, both leading to greater demands on the services of the District Council and so to a need of more attention and help from elected representatives. The 1974 electoral roll included electors in some 100 houses now vacated and in process of modernisation, of which about V3rd were in single elderly electors' occupation. These houses were likely to bo let to younger families with 2 or more electors and she believed that this kind of development would take the electorate beyond 2314 in 1^79- The Parish Council and th« Labour Party were opposed to the suggestion of transferring Costhorpe. Mr. Simcox said it was to be expected that the reoccupation of the modernised dwellings would continue the high proportion of elderly single electors but Kr. Rabbit disagreed saying that the elderly people who had been rehoused would not want to go back. He agreed that the projection of 2314 electors by 1979 was a minimum. -8-

Mr. Lacey, Vice -Chairman Carlton-in-Lindrick Parish Council said that the younger families left Langold as it died as a mining village. Before that there had "been 2 or more electors per house and he "believed this would again "be the case as modernisation and redevelopment proceeded. He said Costhorpe was not an identifiable community which could he sensihly separated from Carlton-in-Lindrick, it had no affinity with Langold and he opposed the transfer*

Mr. Rickards as Chairman of the Northern Area Committee of Local Councils also opposed the transfer and supported the Parish Council's request for 2 district councillors as in his statement in connection with Barnby Moor (above).

Mr. Simcox, speaking as a school headmaster, also said there was no tie between Costhorpe and Langold which would justify the transfer. He said that children from Costhorpe area were at present having to go to primary school in Langold but this was pending the completion of new school accommodation in Carlton whose catchment area would be intersected by a boundary at Rotherham Baulk.

Mr. Broadhead said the District Council, as in their original proposals to the Commission, supported the provision of 2 councillors for Hodsock Ward with retirements in "Year 1" and "Year2". I asked if anyone present knew of any objection to this pattern of retirement; no one did. As to Costhorpe, Mr. Broadhead said the District Council had not framed a policy on warding unwarded parishes and had had no requests for warding from such parishes. Warding Costhorpe as part of Carlton-in-Lindrick Parish to enable it to be part of Hodsock Ward would present difficulties and he thought the District Council's policy was likely to be not to introduce warding against the expressed wish of the parish concerned. Mr. Rabbit agreed with this. Mr. F. Wright submitted that an electorate of 2314 or more in 1979 justified 2 representatives.

East Retford - Mojth and Eas^

Kr. Simcox read a statement on behalf of the Conservative Group of the District Council as follows:- "We would suggest that the East Ward should remain co-terminous with the Ward created for the 1973 Local Government Elections, except that part on the Northern boundary of the Ward where it diverts North from the Leverton Road to include Clatars Close should be redrawn to pase directly along Leverton Road to the old Borough boundary, and thereby excluding Claters Close from the East Ward. "We would suggest that the West Ward should remain co-terminous with the present Ward. "The North Ward should then be split into 2 two-member Wards by a boundary starting from the traffic lights at the junction of Hospital Road and Bridgegate and travelling north and then northwest along Hallcroft Road, so effectively dividing the old North 'Yard into a North-East and North- West Ward of roughly equal numbers. -9-

"Tliis North-East Ward has an electorate of 258?, and by 1979 will have an estimated electorate of 2709, which with two District Councillors will give a representation of 1:1354- "This North-West Ward has an electorate of 2518, and by 1979 will "have? an estimated electorate of 3072, giving an electorate to member ratio of 1536il. "The majority of the residential development proposed for East Retford will take place in the northern part of the town and therefore should the electorate to member ratio rise sufficiently to justify a further Councillor, this could be easily accommodated without a wholesale realignment of Ward boundaries. "Furthermore the Worth-East and East Wards would make an effective County Ward without crossing District Ward boundaries. This is an objective of the Boundary Commissions Terms of Reference as laid down in their letter of 13th May 1974, paragraph 11. "Similarly the North-West and West Wards could be -.amalgamated to the same end. "No other proposal put before the Commission effectively solves this problem without the necessity of crossing Ward boundaries to form electorally equal County Wards. "Lastly, the boundaries of all four Wards follow simple and easily defined routes which will cater for population growth for an estimated minimum of 10 years, thereby giving the electorate a sense of stability and confidence in its Local Government." With reference to the last paragraph of the statement Mr. Simcox commented that in the draft proposals of the District Council and of the Commission the boundary between their North and East Wards would go deviously along Lidget Lane and Tiln Lane instead of following principal roads which are to be preferred where practicable. Kr. Rabbit agreed that further residential development would be pre- dominantly in the northern part of the town and said that the District Council's warding proposals had been made with this in mind. Sir. Broadhead referred to the statement by the County Council's representative that their electoral division problems in Retford would not be solved by having the Conservative Group's 4 wards. In the past Retford had had one of its 3 wards divided between county electoral divisions and the District Council thought that this remained acceptable and it was not necessary or desirable to upset the existing pattern of district wards to the extent suggested by the Conservative Group.

Worksop - South and South-East Wards Mr. Simcox referred to the Conservative Group's written objection to the boundary between the South and South-East Wards in the District Council's scheme following Pelham St. and Lincoln St. They considered their amendment to take the line along Netherton Road, Low Town St. and Cheapside was pre- ferable as not following back roads but principal roads which naturally have a more divisive effect on communities they pass through. Also it was more logical to follow the established ward boundary along Netherton Road. -10-

Mr, Rabbit said that the electorate involved in the suggested amend- ment was substantial and for the purposes of the District Council's scheme their proposed boundary along non-principal roads was suitable and should be accepted. The District Council estimated that the electorate involved would be approaching 7CO by 1979 but Mr. Simcox doubted whether it would exceed 400. As after further discussion it was clear the this difference could not be resolved at the meeting I asked the District Council and the Conservative Group to seek agreement on the figures for 1974 and 1979 and « to inform me of the outcome. (Note: Since the meeting Mr. Broadhead has informed me that the ^ numbers of electors involved in this suggested amendment are 631 in 1974 and 620 in 1979 and that Mr. Simcox as Leader of the Conservative Group has agreed these figures.)

fforksop - South and North-West Wards

Mr. Simcox referred to the Conservative Group's written objection to the "Mansfield Road Area" being included in the North-West Ward. He added that the area already had church and school links with the South Ward. His group felt particularly strongly that it would be wrong to have the Mansfield Road electors in the North-West Ward where those electors would find it difficult to accept that they would be as much the concern of their elected representatives as would be the great majority of the Ward's electors across the river and canal in a different part of the town where it was likely that those representatives would, mainly conduct their ward business.

Mr. Rabbit did not agree that these electors would be so badly served by the District Council proposals or would be so much more inaccessible to the rest of the North-West Ward.

Mr. Simcox agreed with Mr. Broadhead that if the "Mansfield Road Area" were to be transferred to the South Ward it should be taken as comprising the relevant polling district so as to have a northern boundary along the River Hyton but not along Stubbing Lane as shown on the Group's map sub- mitted to the Commission. Vir. Simcox and Mr. Broadhead agreed the electorate for this area at 750 in the 1975 Register with an increase to at least 800 by 1979-

Conservative ^Grpup'3 Alternative of 7 Wards for '.Vorksop

lv!r. oimcox said that in preparing their scheme the Group had two main objoctivegi-

(i) To keep to the present ward boundaries as far as possible (an objective which he said the District Council had adopted for Retford but not for Worksop). (ii) To avoid the underrepresentation which is seen in the District • Council's proposed South and South-East '.Var-ls with 6 councillors compared to the Group's proposed 3 wards wii;h 9 councillors for the same total, electorate with the addition of the "Mansfield Road Area". -11-

Mr. Broadhead said that the District Council felt it "better that in urban areas variations of Elector/Councillor ratios should be above the average district ratio rather than below and that there was no case for 7 wards.

Vtorkaop South-East and Weibeck Wards

I informed the meeting of Mr. Tew's proposal that a straighter and more natural boundary between these two wards would be for its eastern end to start at the roundabout junction of the A.57*A.I and A.614 roads thence south-westwarda to the junction of the road tc Clumber Fark, thence south- wards along that road to the park entrance, thence south-westwards again to Truman's Lodge, thence north-westwards along Clumber Road to its junction with Ollerton Road, thus putting Clumber Park effectively within one ward, Welbeck Ward. Mr. Broadhead said this proposal was acceptable to the District Council and would make no material change in electorate numbers. Mr. Simcox said the Conservative Group also agreed with it. Range of Elector/Councillor Ratios

I invited those concerned to explain their objections to this feature of the Commission's draft proposals. Mr. Broadhead, Mr. Simcox, Kr. Tew andto'r .F . Wright agreed that at the low end of the range ratios of 1032:1 for Trent Ward, 1112:1 for Ranald 11 Ward and 1082:1 for Hodsock Yfard if given 2 councillors were acceptable. It was the high ratio of 2164si for Hodsock V/ard to which they all objected and in addition to. Simcox said the Conservative Group thought the ratios of 1683:1 and 1627:1 for Worksop South and South-East Wards were too high. Mr. Simcox aaid that in general lower ratios were acceptable for rural areas than for urban areas. Agreeing with this point i'r. F. Wright said the ratio of 1566:1 for Misterton Ward was acceptable because of the urban concentration of most of the population. J-'r. Rabbit distinguished Kisterton Ward from Hodsock Ward (also with a concentration of most of its population) on the ground that Hodsock Ward had special social features as referred to earlier in this Report.

Mr. Tew supported 1032:1 for Trent; Ward by reference to its containing 8 parishes for one District Councillor to deal with as compared to Sverton with 4 parishes.

Mr. Simcox expressed the acceptance by the Conservative Group of the grouping of parishes as proposed by the Association of Local Councils for wards in the rural areas and the Group did not wish to pursue their own slightly different scheme for the rural areas. Implications for Scheme of County Electoral Divisions

Mr. Firth for the County Council in reference to the forthcoming review of county electoral divisions said that the County Council was presently composed of 89 councillors - 27 for , 9 for each of 6 districts and 8 for one district (likely to be raised to 9 in due course). Bassetlaw District was likely to continue with its present representation which would give it an average ratio of about 8000 electors per county councillor. He said the County Council did not think there were any changes in the draft -12- warding proposals which they should suggest as helping them to solve their problem of forming equal electorates without splitting district wards. They wished to forewarn the Commission of their difficulties and not to involve themselves unduly in local matters. The Conservative Group's alternative scheme for wards in East Retford would not solve the County Council's problems there.

Inspections My inspection was in three parts. The first covered the northern half of East Retford variously divided by the Commission's and the Con- servative Group's proposals. The second included the boundary at' Clumber Park suggested by Mr. Tew, and the Lincoln St., Bracebridge, Mansfield Road and Central Avenue areas of V/orksop. The third covered Barnby l»!oor and its road communications to the communities immediately surrounding it. The boundaries involved in either set of proposals for East Retford1s northern half appeared to me to be easy to follow, including the line along Lidget Lane and Tiln Lane criticised by the Conservative Group. At Clumber Park the line proposed by Mr. Tew along public roads all the way was easily followed. In the Lincoln Street area of Worksop it was clear that its two sides were much less divided by through road traffic than the two sides of Netherton Road and Low Town Street but I found that the alternative lines were both as easy to follow. For the "Mansfield Road Area" communications by road with the residential areas of Rhodesia and are long because indirect but are made even longer in point of time by having to pass through the focus of heavy traffic in the town centre where even with a one-way circulation system significant delays frequently occur. Button is the nearest community to Barnby Moor with a distance of less than half a mile between their built-up areas. This distance includes the level-crossing where ofcourse passing trains impose some delays to traffic on the road, but only intermittently. Torworth in the proposed Ranskill Ward is very accessible, straight up the old Great North Road but about a mile away. Bilby is about 2 miles away across the A.I trunk road where crossing the dual carriageways did not seem particularly difficult. Babworth is more than 2 miles away by a good road.

Conclusions

Elkealey, Sutton and Ranskill Wards and Barnby Moor Parish With the exception of the County Council all parties expressing an interest in this matter agreed that Barnby Moor should remain in the Sutton Ward. No one disputed that Barnby Moor's ties with Sutton were the closest and this I think is a strong argument in this case to which I would give decisive weight, notwithstanding that the County Council's proposal would -13- produce greater equality of electorates between the three wards and that the Commission's proposal would put the two parts of Barnby Moor Parish in the same ward as Babworth Parish whose territory barely separates those parts. This separation appears to have little significance in this electoral review so long as the two parts are treated as one electoral unit, The suggestion for joining these two parts physically by transfer of part of Babworth Parish is outside the scope of this review. The 1974 electorates of the three wards and the effect of transferring Barnby tioor are as follows:-

1. 2. 3- Barnby Moor Parish Barnby r.!oor Parish Commission's Proposals to Ranskill Ward to Button Ward

Elkesley Ward 1442 1224 1224 Ranskill Ward 1112 1330 1112 Button Ward 1300 1300 1516

With Barnby Moor Parish in the Sutton Ward, as I will recommend, instead of Elkesley Ward, the difference between the electorates of the two wards would be increased from 142 to 294 but this difference and the electorates would still be well within the ranges of electorates adopted by the Commission and other parties in their proposals.

Hodsock and Carlton Wards There was agreement by all who expressed interest in this matter that Hodsock Ward should have 2 councillors because of the siae of its electorate (2164 in 1974 increasing to 2314 by 1979) and, except in the case of Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Rudder, because of the particular social features of Langold. That these features do exist and probably make abnormal demands on the attention of councillors seems to be a relevant fact at the present time which justifies the Parish's claim for 2 representatives on the District Council if such representation is compatible with the rules in Schedule 11 of the Act, as I think it is. With an electorate of 2.164 in a district of 70358 electors with 49 councillorn the Ward would be entitled theoretically to 1.51 representativeo; with the 1979 electorate the entitlement would be 1.50 still midway between one or 2 councillors. Having regard to this and to the fact that with only one councillor the ratio of 2164:1 would be some 300 higher than anything suggested for any other ward, even in the towns, I consider that the choice, which is open, should be for 2 councillors. Thus adding one more to the proposed council of 49 would alter the average ratio for the district from 1436:1 to 1407:1 which would increase Hodsock Ward's theoretical entitle- ment to about 1-54' -14-

Having regard to the opposition to the transfer of Costhorpe expressed by the representatives of the two parishes concerned, to Costhorpe*s ties with Carlton-ih-Lindrick rather than Langold and to the response of the District Council's representative on the suggestion for making Costhorpe a parish ward, I do not think this change should be pursued. East Retford - North and East Wards Both the District Council's proposals (adopted by the Commission) and the Conservative Group's proposals allow for increased electorates by 1979. The Conservative Group claim for their scheme that representation of the northern part of the town could be easily increased when justified without a further wholesale realignment of ward boundaries. At this point in time it is uncertain when such a need for adjustment will arise and whether in the event some other solution may be found to be more suitable. In the context of the electorates up to 1979 the District Council's proposals are acceptable and seem to me preferable because they retain the established and normal pattern of 3 councillors per urban ward in a district having elections by thirds. The County Council's difficulty in forming suitable county electoral divisions is not a factor which should affect this conclusion.

Worksop - 6 or 7 Wards? Taking the electorate of Worksop in 1979 "to be 25,750 the Commission's draft proposals for 18 councillors would give an average per councillor of 1597 compared to an average for the whole district with 50 councillors of 1511. 'The Conservative Group's proposals for 21 councillors would give an average of 13^9 compared with an average for the whole district with 53 councillors of 1425- The variations above and below the whole district averages are not of great significance but apart from any other material considerations I suggest that the preference in an urban area should be for the higher ratios. In the Commission's draft proposals the electoral ratios for the South and the South-East Wards of IVorksop would be 2 of the 3 highest in the district, if Hodsock V/ard is given 2 councillors. If my recommendations for boundary changes under my next headings are followed, the 1979 electorate of the South VJard would be increased by 180 to 5^12 giving a ratio of l870il and of the South-East Ward by 620 to 5701 giving a ratio of 1900:1. These ratios are nearly 400 above the district average of 1511s1.

Conversely, under the Conservative Group's proposals the Bracebridge Ward would have an electorate of only 3410 in 1979 giving a ratio of 1136!1 which would be nearly 300 below the district average (with 53 councillors) of 1425*1 and their North-West Ward would have an electorate of only 3697 in 1979 giving a ratio of 1232:1. Again I suggest that in an urban area variation: above average ratio is to be preferred to variation below and that the Commission's proposals should be followed subject to the boundary changes recommended under my next heading. -15-

Worksop - North-'ffest South and South-East '.7ards

I consider that there is a strong case for including the "Kansfield Road Area" in the South instead of the North-V/est Ward simply "because of its separation from and its inconvenient communications with the greater part of the North-West Ward and because of its apparently stronger ties with the South Ward. As agreed at the meeting the area involved should be taken as the polling district which has as its northern boundary the , the and Steetley Lane.

The transfer of this area to the South V/ard would add to it some 750 electors on the 1975 Register, becoming about 800 by 1979-

Considering suitability merely as a boundary between the South and South-East Wards both the Felham St.-Lincoln St. and the Hetherton Rd.- Low Town St.-Cheapside lines seem acceptable, with some preference for the latter which is more used by through traffic. However, if as I recommend some 750 electors in the "Mansfield Road Area" are added to the South Ward .adjustment of that Ward's already high electorate would be essential and it is for this reason that I will recommend the transfer of the area with 631 electors to the South-East Ward.

Worksop - South-East Ward and Welbeck Ward

Kr. Tew13 proposal met with general support and because his line follows clear putQic roads throughout and does not divide Clumber Park I think it is preferable to the other proposed lines.

Recommendation

I accordingly recommend:-

(1) That Barnby Moor Parish be transferred from the Elkesley Ward to the Button V/ard, (2) That 2 councillors be allocated to the Hodsock Ward, with retirements in "Years 1 and 2", thus producing a council of 50, (3) That the area of District No. 9 in Polling District "F" in the present South-West Ward of Worksop be transferred from the proposed North-West Ward to the proposed South Ward, (4) That the area enclosed by Lincoln St., part of Pelham St., part of Netherton Rd., Low Town St. and part of Cheapside be trans- ferred from the South Ward to the South-East Ward of Worksop, (5) That the boundary between the South-East Ward of Worksop and Welbeck Ward be changed so as to follow a line from the roundabout junction of the A.57> A.I and A.614 roads thence south-westwards along the A.57 road to its junction with the road to Clumber Park, thence southwards along the said road to (but not through) the entrance gates of Clumber Park, thence south-westwards along the public road to its junction with Clumber Road near Trumans Lodge, thence north-westwards along the said road to its junction with Ollerton Road and that the areas south of this line which are enclosed by this line and the boundary lines proposed by the Commission be added to the Welbeck Ward. -16-

(6) That no other modifications be made. In concluding this report I wish to express my thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who attended the meeting for the courteous and informative way in which they presented their observations and to the officers of the District Council for the assistance they gave and their arrangements for the meeting.

The V/arren, Assistant Commissioner Hertingfordbury, Local Government Boundary HERTFORD, Herts. Commission for England.

6th November 1975 SCHEDULE 2

DISTRICT OF BASSSTLAW: NAMES OF IttOPOSiD V&RDS AND NUMBERS OP COUNCILLORS

NAME OF VJARD HO. OF COUNCILLORS BUCKINGHAM 1 BLYTH 1 CARLTON "3 CLAYWORTH 1 KAST MiRKH&M 1 EA.ST RETFORD (EAST) 3 EAST RETFORD (NORTH) 3 E^GT RETFORD (WEST) 3 J^LKESLEf • 1 B7ERTOH 1 IIARWORTH Eft.ST 2 HMWOHTII '.VEST 2 HODSOCK 2 M1STHITON 1 RAi-UTON 1

STTJHTON SUTTON

TUXFORD . 1 VffiLBECK • 1 TOKSOP (EAST) 3 WORKSOP (NORTH) 3 WORKSOP (NORTH EAST) " 3 WORKSOP (NORTH '^ssrr) 3 vraRKSor (SOUTH) 3 WORKSOP (SOUTH BAST) 3 SCHEDULE 3

ELECTIONS BY THIRDS - ORDER OF RETIREMENT

ORDER OF RETIREMENT

NO. OP COUNCILLORS NA1.S3 OF WARD 1st YrAR 2nd YEAR REPRI3SEi!TIl!G V.'ARD 3rd TJAP.

_ BECKIN.GHAM 1 1 PE . BLYTH 1 - - 1 PE * CARLTON 3 1 1 PE 1 CLAYWORTH 1 1 FE - _- 1 - 1 PE ' EAST RETFORD (EAST) 3 1 1 1 EAST RETPORD (NORTH) 3 1 1 1 EAST RETFORD (WEST) 3 1 1 1 ELKESLEY 3 1 PE - - EVERTON 1 - 1 PE - HARWORTH EAST 2 1 - 1 PE) HARWORTH WEST 2 - . 1 i PE) HODSOCK 2 1 1 PE - MISTERTON 1 - 1 PE - RAMPTON 1 - - 1 PE RANSKILL 1 - 1 PE - STUKTON 1 - - 1 PE SUTTON 1 1 PE - - TRENT 1 - 1 PE - TUXFORD 1 1 PS - _ — WELBECK 1 - 1 PE WORKSOP (EAST) 3 1 1 1 WORKSOP (NORTH) 3 1 1 1 WORKSOP (NORTH EAST) 3 1 1 1 WORKSOP (NORTH WEST ) 3 1 1 1 WORKSOP (SOUTH) 3 1 1 1 * WORKSOP (SOUTH EAST) 3 1 1 1

17 17 16 SCHEDULE 4

DISTRICT OF BASSETLAW

NOTE: Where the boundary is described as following a road, railway, river, canal, or similar feature, it should be deemed to follow the centre line of the feature unless otherwise stated.

EAST RETFORD NORTH WARD

Commencing at a point where the Chesterfield Canal meets the eastern boundary of Babworth CP, thence northwards and following said boundary, the southern boundary of Sutton CP and the southwestern boundary of Hayton

CP to Tiln Lane,thence southwestwards and following said lane to Moorgate, thence northeastwards along Moorgate to Lidget Lane, thence southwards along said lane to Spital Hill, thence southwestwards along said hill and

Chapelgate to Bridg'egate, thence northwestwards along said Bridgegate to

Hospital Road, thence southwestwards along said road to the Chesterfield

Canal, thence northwestwards and following said canal to the point of commencement.

EAST RETFORD EAST WARD

Commencing at a point where the meets the northern boundary of

Eaton CP, thence northeastwards and following said river to Albert Road, thence eastwards along said road to Carolgate, thence northwestwards along said Carolgate and northwards along Market Place to the southern boundary of East Retford North Ward, thence eastwards and northwards along the southern and eastern boundaries of said ward to the southern boundary of

Hoytori CP, thence generally eastwards along paid boundary to the western boundary of Clarborough CP, thence southeastward.^ and following said boundary and southern boundary of said CP to the western boundary of North

Leverton with Habblesthorpe CP, thence generally southwards along said boundary and the western boundary of South Lcverton CP to the northern boundary of Grove CP, the westwards and following said boundary and the western boundary of said CP to the northern boundary of Eaton CP, thence westwards and following said boundary to the point of commencement.

EAST RETFORD WEST WARD

Commencing at a point where the northern boundary of Eaton CP meets the eastern boundary of Babworth CP, thence generally northwards along the east- ern boundary to the southern boundary of East Retford North Ward, thence southeastwards and following said boundary to the western boundary of

East Retford East Ward, thence southwards and following said boundary to the northern boundary of Eaton CP, thence southwestwards and following said boundary to the point of commencement.

WORKSOP NORTH WARD

Commencing at a point where Carlton Road meets the East Retford to

Worksop railway, thence northwestwards along said railway to Road, thence northwestwards and following said road to the western boundary of the District, thence northeastwards along said boundary to the southern boundary of CP, thence southeastwards and following said boundary to Carlton Road, thence generally southwards along said road to the point of commencement.

WORKSOP NORTH WEST WARD

Commencing at a point where Stoetloy Lane meets the Western boundary of the District, thence southwestwardn and northeastwards along said boundary to the western boundary of Worknop North Ward, thence southeastwards and following said boundary to Carlton Road, thence southwards along said road to the Chesterfield Canal, thence westwards and northwestwards along said canal to a point opposite the eastern boundary of parcel no 29^7 °n OS

1:3500 plan SK 56-5779 Edition of 1961, thence southwestwards to and along said boundary to the River Ryton, thence southwestwards and following said river to Steetley Lane, thence southwestwards along said lane to the point of commencement. WORKSOP NORTH EAST WARD

Commencing at a point where Blyth Road meets the eastern boundary of

Worksop North Ward, thence northwards along said boundary to the southern

boundary of Carlton in Lindrick CP, thence southeastwards along said

boundary to fllyth Road, thence southwestwards along said road to the

point of commencement.

WORKSOP EAST WARD

Commencing at a point where the East Retford to Worksop railway meets

the eastern boundary of Worksop North Ward, thence northwards along the

said boundary and northeastwards along the southeastern boundary of Worksop

North East Ward to the southern boundary of Carlton in Lindrick CP, thence

eastwards and following said boundary and the southern boundary of Barnby

Moor (Det) CP to the western boundary of Babworth CP, thence southwards

along said boundary to Retford Road, tience southwestwards along said road

to the East Retford to Worksop railway, thence northwestwards along said

railway to the point of commencement.

WORKSOP SOUTH WARD

Commencing at a point where the northern boundary of Welbeck CP meets the

western boundary of the District, thence northwestwards and following said

district boundary to the southern boundary of Worksop North West Ward, thence northwestwards and following said boundary to the southern boundary of

Worksop Kast Ward, thence southeastwards along said boundary to Kilton Hill, thence southeastward^ along said hill and southeastvards along High Hoe Road to

Bracebridge, thence southwestwards along said Bracebridge and Cheapside \ to Lou Town Street, thence generally southwards along said street and lietherton

Road to Ollerton Road, thence southeastwards along said road to the northern boundary of Welbeck CP, thence westwards and following said boundary to the point of commencement.

WORKSOP SOUTH EAST WARD

Commencing at a point where the northern boundary of Welbeck CP meets the eastern boundary of Worksop South Ward, thence northwestwards and following said boundary to the southern boundary of Worksop East Ward, thence south- eastwards and following said boundary to the western boundary of Babworth CP, thence generally southwards along said boundary to Limetree Avenue, thence southwestwards along said avenue to a point opposite the southern boundary of Burnt Oak Plantation, thence northwestwards to and along said boundary to the road to the southeast of Old Lings, thence southwestwards along said road to Clumber Road, thence northwestwards along said road to a point opposite the northwestern boundary of Parcel No ^66? on OS 1:2500 plan

SK 60-6l?5 Edition of 1960, thence southwestwards and southeastwards to and along the northwestern and southwestern boundaries of the said parcel to the point where it meets the northern boundary of Welbeck CP, thence southwestwards along said boundary to the point of commencement.

BECKINGHAM WARD The parishes of Beckingham

Bole

Saundby

Walkeringliam

West Burton

BLYTH WARD The parishes of Blyth

Styrrup with Oldcotes

CARLTON WARD The parishes of Carlton in Lindrick

Wallingwells CLAYWORTH WARD The parishes of Clarborough

Clayworth

Hay ton

Wiseton

EAST MARKHAM WARD The parishes of Askham

East Markham

Eaton

Gamston

West Drayton

West Markham

EIKESLEY WARD The parishes of Babworth

Bevercotes

Bothamsall

Elkesley

Haughton

EVERTON WARD The parishes of Everton

Gringley on the Hill

Misson

Scaftworth

HARWORTH EAST WARD The East Ward of the parish of Harworth TUrcoten

HARWORTH WEST WARD The West Ward of the parish of Harworth Bircotes HODSOCK WARD The parish of HOdsock

MISTERTON WARD The parishes of Misterton

West Stockwith

RAMPTON WARD The parishes of Cottam

Grove

Headon cum Upton

Rampton

Stokehatn

Treswell

RANSKILL WARD The parishes of Ranskill

Scrooby

Torworth

STURTON WARD The parishes of North Leverton with Habblesthorpe

North Wheatley

South Leverton

South Wheatley

Sturton le Steeple

SUTTON WARD The parishes of Lounri

Mattersey

Sutton

Barnby Moor

Barnby Moor (Det) TRENT WARD The parishes of Darlton

Dunham

East Drayton

Fledborough

Laneham

Marnhara

\, . Normanton on Trent Ragnall

TUXFORD WARD The parish of Tuxford

WELBECK WARD ' The parishes of Carburton Cuckney

Holbeck

Nether Langwith . •

Norton

Welbeck

and that area bounded by a line commencing at a point where the southern

boundary of the District meets the eastern boundary of Carburton GP, thence

generally northwestwards along said CP boundary and northwestwards and

southwestwards along the eastern and northern boundaries of Welbeck CP

to the eastern boundary of Worksop South Ward, thence northwestwards along

said ward boundary to the southern boundary of Worksop South East Ward,

thence southeastwards and northeastwards along said southern boundary to

the western boundary of Babworth CP, thence southwestwards and southwards

along said CP boundary and southeastwards along the western boundary of

ftlkesley CP to the southern boundary of the District, thence southwestwards

along said district boundary to the point of commencement.