To consider the submitted report on a review of the Council’s warding patterns.

Following the decision of the Council on 20 July 2017 to defer this item, members gave further consideration to the submitted report on the Council’s consultation response to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE) formal review of the proposed warding patterns for Torbay from 2019.

Mayor Oliver proposed and Councillor King seconded a motion as set out below:

(i)         that the Proposed Changes to Warding Patterns – Submission by Torbay Council set out in Appendices 1 and 5 to the submitted report be approved for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England;

(ii)        that the Assistant Director Corporate and Business Services be requested to redraw the 15 Ward maps using GIS to show the changes to the warding patterns reflected in Appendices 1 and 5 to the submitted report;  and

(iii)       that the Assistant Director Corporate and Business Services be authorised to make any technical amendments to address any anomalies identified when redrawing the Ward maps.

During the debate Councillor Darling (S) proposed and Councillor Carter seconded an amendment to the motion as follows:

(i)         that the Proposed Changes to Warding Patterns – Submission by Torbay Council set out in the Liberal Democrat Amendment – Putting Torbay Communities First - Revised Appendix 1 (circulated on 4 August 2017) Appendices 1 and 5 to the submitted report be approved for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England;

(ii)        that the Assistant Director Corporate and Business Services be requested redraw the 15 Ward maps using GIS to show the changes to the warding patterns reflected in the Liberal Democrat Amendment – Putting Torbay Communities First - Revised Appendix 1 Appendices 1 and 5 to the submitted report;

(iii)       that the Assistant Director Corporate and Business Services be authorised to make any technical amendments to address any anomalies identified when redrawing the Ward maps.

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

During the debate Councillor Morey proposed and Councillor Ellery seconded a further amendment to the motion as follows:

(i)         that:

a)         subject to the main changes to the Berry Head with Furzeham and St Mary’s with Summercombe Wards being as set out in Appendix 6 (Independent Group Amendment – circulated on 4 August 2017) and with the names of these wards being amended to Furzeham with Summercombe and St Peter’s with St Marys; and

b)         the impact of these changes resulting in the Churston with Galmpton Ward with 9% electors above the threshold being accepted by the Council,

the Proposed Changes to Warding Patterns – Submission by Torbay Council set out in Appendices 1 and 5 to the submitted report be approved for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England;

(ii)        that the Assistant Director Corporate and Business Services be requested redraw the 15 Ward maps using GIS to show the changes to the warding patterns reflected in Appendices 1 and 5 to the submitted report and Appendix 6 (Independent Group amendment);  and

(iii)       that the Assistant Director Corporate and Business Services be authorised to make any technical amendments to address any anomalies identified when redrawing the Ward maps.

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

Mayor Oliver’s and Councillor King’s original motion was then considered by the Council.

A recorded vote was taken on the original motion.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Mayor Oliver, Councillors Amil, Barnby, Bye, Haddock, Hill, King, Kingscote, Lewis (B), Lewis (C), Manning, O’Dwyer, Robson, Stubley, Sykes, Thomas (D), Thomas (J), Tolchard and Tyerman (19);  Against:  Councillors Carter, Darling (M), Darling (S), Doggett, Ellery, Excell, Morey, Parrott, Pentney, Sanders, Stockman and Stocks (12);  Abstain:  Councillor Brooks (1);  Absent:  Councillors Bent, Mills, Morris, Stringer and Winfield (5).  Therefore, the motion was declared carried and is set out below:

(i)         that the Proposed Changes to Warding Patterns – Submission by Torbay Council set out in Appendices 1 and 5 to the submitted report be approved for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England;

(ii)        that the Assistant Director Corporate and Business Services be requested to redraw the 15 Ward maps using GIS to show the changes to the warding patterns reflected in Appendices 1 and 5 to the submitted report;  and

(iii)       that the Assistant Director Corporate and Business Services be authorised to make any technical amendments to address any anomalies identified when redrawing the Ward maps.