To receive an apologies for absence, including notifications if any changes to the membership of the Working Party.

Councillor Mills was substituted by Councillor Thomas (D).

To note the Minutes of the Constitution Working Party held on 19 September 2017.

The minutes from the meeting of the Working Party held on 19 September 2017 were confirmed as a correct record.

Further to the meeting of the Working Party held on 19 September 2017, members considered which areas of the Constitution should have a priority focus as part of it’s review in readiness for 2019.  It was noted that the Constitution reflected legislative arrangements throughout.  Members discussed the current format of Council meetings and whether improvements could be made prior to 2019.  Members also discussed the role of civic under the Leader and Cabinet System.

Actions:

Present at an early stage in the review of the Constitution:

-       review of Council meetings format (following review of best practice undertaken by neighbouring authorities)

-       decision development

-       civic arrangements

Next meeting to focus on Council meeting format.

Action by Anne-Marie Bond/June Gurry

To consider the submitted report on the above.  Paper copies of the consultation document have already been circulated to Members.

An interactive map of the proposals can be viewed at www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/south-west/devon/torbay

Teresa Buckley joined the meeting for this item and presented the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) proposed warding patterns for Torbay Council.  Members were requested to form recommendations to the Council on 7 December 2017 in respect of the Council’s formal response to the LGBCE’s consultation. 

Members discussed the formal response from the LGBCE including details of the proposed changes together with large scale maps showing the new proposed wards.

Recommendations:

(i)         that Plainmoor should remain in the St Marychurch Ward;

(ii)        that the current Wellswood Ward name should be retained;

(iii)       that, based on the proposed boundaries for the Ward shown in the consultation proposals, the Tormohun Ward name should be retained;

(iv)       that the proposed Collaton St Mary Ward should be combined with the Kings Ash Ward to make a three member Ward and that the Ward should be named ‘Kings Ash with Collaton’;

(v)        that no changes should be made to the current Tor Bay area which currently sits within the Wellswood Ward (comprising the coast and sea area of Torbay) this is because there are no electors affected by the proposal;  and

(vi)       that the Churston with Galmpton Ward should be renamed ‘Churston with Hookhills’ as large part of the Ward is in the Hookhills area of Paignton.

Actions:

1.         that Councillors Darling (S) and Hill discuss informally with the Maidencombe residents to ascertain if they feel more part of the Watcombe or St Marychurch area and report back to the next Constitution Working Party meeting for them to determine if they should be moved;  and

2.         that Teresa Buckley investigates the number of electors in Maidencombe and the impact that moving them from Watcombe would have on both the St Marychurch and Watcombe Ward ratios of electors to Councillor and report back to the next meeting.