Members are reminded that at the Committee’s meeting on 14 July 2022

approval was given to the Terms of Reference to initiate the Community

Governance Review process for a proposed change to a Local Council

in the Worth Valley ward.

The City Solicitor will now submit Document “J” which provides feedback from the Community Governance Review for the proposal to dissolve the current Haworth, Cross Roadsand Stanbury Parish Council and establish two new Local Councils in Haworth and Stanbury, and Cross Roads, which was triggered by receipt of a petition to the Council from local residents.  

Recommended -

(1)       That Members give their support to the proposal to dissolve   Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council and establish two new Local Councils in the same area – as a consequence of meeting the tests in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, as outlined in paragraph 3.4. of the report.

(2)       That with no significant opinion on the boundary, it is also recommended that the Local Councils follow the boundaries as proposed.

(3)       That the new Local Councils being named Cross Roads Parish Council and Haworth and Stanbury Parish Council, as set out in the petition received in February 2022 be supported.

(4)       That the Local Council areas being split into wards, in the case of Haworth and Stanbury, as outlined at paragraph 3.17, along with the suggested numbers of local councillors per Local Council ward be supported.

(5)       That it should be noted that it is a requirement of the 2007 Act that the Council must make available a document setting out the reasons for the decisions it has taken at the conclusion of a community governance review and to publicise those reasons.

(6)       That the final approval for the dissolving of the current Parish Council and establishment of two new Local Councils in Cross Roads and Haworth and Stanbury area be referred to Council at the earliest opportunity.

                                                                        (Alice Bentley – 01535 618008)

The Director of Legal and Governance submitted Document “J” which provided feedback from the Community Governance Review for the proposal to dissolve the current Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council and establish two new Local Councils in Haworth & Stanbury, and Cross Roads, which had been triggered by receipt of a petition to the Council from local residents.

The Parish Councillors for Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury attended the meeting and the Parish Councillor representing Cross Roads spoke on behalf of them all in support of establishing the two new local Councils.

It was reported that over the 6-week period of consultation, 457 representations were made via an online survey or return of paper survey, in addition 91 residents attended the drop in sessions and there were more responses in favour of a new Local Council (80.96%) than there were against (19.04%).

Members were advised of some of the benefits of the proposed new Local Councils such as; local planning would be made easier, it would give more control and more say for the local areas as the current area is too large, requirements and priorities for each area were very different. The proposed new Local Council arrangements would allow people to concentrate on local events and needs.

In response to Members questions it was reported that majority of the councillor vacancies had been filled and that the proposal was to have a similar number of Councillors to other parish councils of a similar size; the only employee for the Local Councils would be the Clerk and that the number of responses from residents were similar to the Shipley Community Governance Review.

Resolved -

(1)      That Members give their support to the proposal to dissolve Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council and establish two new Local Councils in the same area – as a consequence of meeting the tests in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, as outlined in paragraph 3.4. of the report.

(2)      That with no significant opinion on the boundary, it is also recommended that the Local Councils follow the boundaries as proposed.

(3)      That the new Local Councils being named Cross Roads Parish Council and Haworth and Stanbury Parish Council,as set out in the petition received in February 2022 be supported.

(4)      That the Local Council areas being split into wards, in the case of Haworth and Stanbury, as outlined at paragraph 3.17, along with the suggested numbers of local councillors per Local Council ward be supported.

(5)      That it should be noted that it is a requirement of the 2007 Act that the Council must make available a document setting out the reasons for the decisions it has taken at the conclusion of a community governance review and to publicise those reasons.

(6)      That the final approval for the dissolving of the current Parish Council and establishment of two new Local Councils in Cross Roads and Haworth and Stanbury area be referred to Council at the earliest opportunity.

Action: Director of Legal and Governance

                                                                               (Alice Bentley – 01535 618008)