Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Cox and Councillor Giles-Medhurst with Councillor Rainbow substituting.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Councillor Price declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 3.

Councillor Hearn declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 3.

That:

This Committee agree the draft recommendations:

·         The unparished area of Heronsgate join Chorleywood Parish Council.

·         The unparished area of Loudwater join Chorleywood Parish Council.

·         To increase the number of councillors on Chorleywood Parish Council to 18.

·         To change Chorleywood Parish Council election cycle to fall in 2027.

The Committee considered a report setting out the outcome of the first stage of the Community Governance Review regarding the unparished areas of Heronsgate and Loudwater.

Jon Bishop, speaking on behalf of Chorleywood Parish Council addressed the Committee. He reported strong public support for the proposals and requested that warding arrangements be considered at a later stage, Chorleywood Parish Council officers be consulted due to their local knowledge.

The Committee was advised that the CGR was requested in July 2025. The Consultation took place between September and December. Just under 200 responses were received, with overall support for parishing Heronsgate and Loudwater and for increasing the number of parish councillors. Responses suggested a preferred council size of 18 councillors, though views ranged higher and there was support for delaying parish elections by one year to align with other parish elections in the district.

Concern was expressed that the report did not include a geographical breakdown of responses and that the number of responses clearly attributed to Loudwater appeared low, and that responses were split. Concern was also raised about increasing the parish council to an even number, with Members noting that odd numbers are generally preferable for decision making. It was suggested that the next stage of consultation could explore whether the appropriate number should be 18 or 19, allowing public views to inform the final decision.

Some Members reiterated objections to delaying parish elections 2027 and questioned the explanation provided in the consultation regarding alignment with other parish electins. Officers clarified that alignment would reduce costs by avoiding isolated parish elections and enabling elections to be run together on a four-year cycle.

Councillor Cooper raised an amendment which was seconded by Councillor Hearn to “Remove recommendation 2.1.4. To change Chorleywood Parish Council election cycle to fall in 2027.”

On being put to the vote the amendment was declared LOST by the Vice-Chair with the voting being For 4, Against 7.

The substantive motion was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED by the Vice-Chair with the voting being by General Assent.