Agenda item

The Council is requested to approve the following recommendation from the Boundary Review Panel who held a meeting on 5 July 2021:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That the council’s response to the Boundary Commission for England’s initial proposals for the 2023 Parliamentary Constituency boundaries is as attached (pages 19 to 27 of the agenda pack).

Cllr Purnell proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Taylor. Mr Mildred then introduced the item. He noted the recent concerns raised by Littlehampton Parish Council.

Cllr Brown then proposed the following alternative:

Both of these options are – for this area - preferable to your proposals as they maintain the strong and obvious links between the Manhood Peninsula and Chichester City. Some wards in the north of Chichester District are used to being in a separate constituency (previously Arundel and Southdowns) and this reflects the linkages with Chichester as a major settlement being less exclusive in the northern wards.

It is recognised that further thought would need to be given to the knock-on impact on the two constituencies to the east. In particular we look forward to studying proposals being promoted by our neighbours in the second round of consultations.

Cllr Moss seconded Cllr Brown’s proposal.

Cllr Oakley thanked officers Mr Mildred for his work in providing members with options to consider in a short space of time.

Cllr Donna Johnson asked members to support maintaining a cohesive Manhood Peninsula.

Cllr Tim Johnson compared splitting up the city into different political constituencies and explained how the scenario would mirror if the Manhood Peninsula were separated.

Cllr Sharp supported maintaining the Manhood Peninsula as a whole but wished to for completeness share the views she had received from some residents who would prefer that it be linked with the local seaside town of Bognor Regis.

Cllr O’Kelly explained that she saw unsatisfactory options proposed and could not support the Boundary Review Panel recommendations.

Cllr Page explained that he would not feel comfortable splitting the Manhood Peninsula.

Cllr Moss explained he would be concerned splitting the following areas of Littlehampton, the Manhood Peninsula and Easebourne each into two constituencies.

Cllr Duncton explained that her preference would be to keep the district under one Member of Parliament. However, she confirmed that she would support the recommendation.

Cllr Purnell reminded members that they would be voting for a consultation not a final decision.

Cllr Briscoe explained that he would prefer not to see the Manhood Peninsula split. He suggested that the proposals put forward remain the best options for the district.

In a vote the original recommendation with the amendment by Cllr Brown to the final paragraph 13 was carried:

RESOLVED

That the council’s response to the Boundary Commission for England’s initial proposals for the 2023 Parliamentary Constituency boundaries is as attached (pages 19 to 27 of the agenda pack) subject to the amendment to paragraph 13 read as follows:

Both of these options are – for this area - preferable to your proposals as they maintain the strong and obvious links between the Manhood Peninsula and Chichester City. Some wards in the north of Chichester District are used to being in a separate constituency (previously Arundel and Southdowns) and this reflects the linkages with Chichester as a major settlement being less exclusive in the northern wards.

It is recognised that further thought would need to be given to the knock-on impact on the two constituencies to the east. In particular we look forward to studying proposals being promoted by our neighbours in the second round of consultations.