Skeeby Parish Council Mrs F.R. McGregor Clerk to Skeeby Parish Council iK� ftCf. ��IE ID 3 1 JUL 2017 - ------------ 22"d July, 2017 Dear Sir, ElectoralReview of Richmondshire WardingArrangements I have been asked by my Councillors to write on behalf of the Parish Council to express its concerns regarding the proposal that the village of Skeeby be incorporated into the Richmond East Ward. As the whole ofthe current East Ward is urban and the village of Skeeby is entirely rural, it is felt that the best interests of the residents of Skeeby will not be fairly representedby such an amalgamation. Currently there is almost a mile of fields betweenthe end of the East Ward and the village of Skeeby, with no connection whatsoever betweenthe two communities. Ideally the status quo would be the best option, but the Parish Council understands that there may be a need to reduce the number of Wardsand its attendant Councillors. However, the Parish Council can see the benefits of amalgamating with Gilling West. a similar size village just to the north of Skeeby, which is connected directly both by a local road and by shared farming boundaries. The two villages share the same rural problems, ie poaching, speeding vehicles and farm related crime, none of which are prevalent in the urban Richmond East Ward. It is for these reasons that Skeeby Parish Council would welcome your consideration regarding the pattern of wards reflecting the interests and identities of local communities and perhaps change the ward boundaryto connect the villages of Gilling West and Skeeby. Yours faithfully Mrs F R McGregor Review Officer (Richmondshire) Local Government Boundary Commission 14th Floor Mlllbank Tower Mill bank London SW1 P 4QP North Yorkshire .