48 Parish charter for Huntingdonshire PDF 95 KB
To consider a report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support).
Contact: R Reeves 388003
Additional documents:
Decision:
Agreed that no further action be taken to develop a Parish Charter with the town and parish councils in Huntingdonshire at the present time and that an explanation be given to the town and parish councils of the reasons for the Cabinet’s decision and requested the Head of Administration to inform the Local Government Association of the Cabinet’s views on the devolution of service responsibility to parish councils.
Minutes:
A report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support) was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which summarised the findings of a study by a Panel working group regarding the adoption of a Parish Charter in respect of the Council’s relationship with town and parish councils in the District.
In considering the results of a questionnaire distributed to all town and parish councils on a draft charter, Members were advised that only 43% had responded and of those only 77% had been in favour of a parish charter, with even less (47%) being interested in delegated services. Under the circumstances, the Cabinet concurred with the Panel’s conclusion that there appeared little value in pursing the introduction of a charter at the present time.
A number of Members referred to recent ministerial announcements suggesting a devolution of service responsibility from the centre to county and district councils who would then be expected to further devolve responsibility to parish councils. As the scrutiny investigation had suggested that there appeared little enthusiasm on the part of parish councils for additional powers and duties, the Head of Administration was requested to draw the attention of the Local Government Association to the results of the consultation exercise locally.
RESOLVED
(a) that no further action be taken to develop a Parish Charter with the town and parish councils in Huntingdonshire at the present time for the reasons outlined in the report now submitted;
(b) that an explanation be given to the town and parish councils of the reasons for the Cabinet’s decision; and
(c) that the Head of Administration be requested to inform the Local Government Association of the Cabinet’s views on the devolution of service responsibility to parish councils.
24 PARISH CHARTER FOR HUNTINGDONSHIRE PDF 95 KB
To consider the report of the Working Group.
Contact: R Reeves 388003
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Further to Minute No. 07/15 and with the assistance of a report by a working group (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), Councillor P J Downes acquainted the Panel with the outcome of the deliberations of the group which had been established to consider the question of a Parish Charter in terms of the Council’s relationship with town and parish councils in the District.
Having considered the Working Group’s report, the Panel agreed that there was little value in proceeding with a Parish Charter with the towns and parishes at the present time. However, in recognition of the disappointment which was likely to be expressed by some councils if a charter were not to proceed, the Panel suggested that the reasons for the conclusion be explained to town and parish councils, together with an assurance that the matter would be kept under review as the powers and responsibilities of the various tiers of local government altered with changing legislation.
RESOLVED
that the Working Group’s report and recommendations be endorsed for submission to the Cabinet, together with a recommendation concerning the need to explain the reasons for the decision.