Agenda item

To consider the report of the head of legal and democratic which invites the committee to agree draft proposals for consultation in respect of the review of the boundary between Great Coxwell and Great Faringdon parishes to move land south of Faringdon from Great Coxwell parish into Great Faringdon parish – attached.

The committee considered a report which invited it to agree a draft proposal for consultation in respect of the review of the boundary between Great Coxwell and Great Faringdon parishes to move land south of Faringdon from Great Coxwell parish into Great Faringdon parish.

Written representations regarding this review had been received from Councillor Roger Cox, a local ward councillor, and Councillor Emily Smith since the publication of the agenda and were circulated at the meeting.

Councillor Cox supports the transfer of the wider area shown in appendix two to the report which incorporates the second phase of The Steeds (known as Fernhill Gardens) development (P18/V0259/O).  In contrast Councillor Smith urged the committee not to proceed with a community governance review prior to the May 2019 elections, until further information becomes available on the review of Oxfordshire County Council Divisions, due to commence in 2019/20, and clarity is received on the timing of any unitary proposals for Oxfordshire, both of which could impact on the review.  She also expressed the view that any consultation should not be undertaken before the new homes are built and occupied to allow residents to have their say in a consultation.

Jacqui Russell, of Great Coxwell Parish Council, addressed the committee and made the following points:

·         The parish council support the idea to include the newly built houses in Great Faringdon parish.

·         There is a risk that Great Coxwell Parish Council would have to administer the 125 houses included in the outline planning application (P18/V0259/O) if the boundary was not moved.

·         Whilst the parish council did not support the inclusion of the wider area prior to any planning approval it acknowledged that if the planning application is granted, waiting until after the May 2019 elections would have adverse effects on the parish council.

Michael Wise, of Faringdon Town Council, addressed the committee. The parish council supported the transfer of the land shown in the map attached at appendix two to the report. He made the following points:

·         The planning application in question would lead to an increase in the number of houses along the A420 bypass.

·         The houses are being marketed as being part of Faringdon but would be in Great Coxwell under current arrangements.

·         Faringdon would be the key amenity provider for these properties.

Officers advised the committee that changes could be made between elections, but this would be costly for the relevant parishes as all councillors would have to resign and new elections held.   

Officers advised the committee that a deferral until the outcome of the outstanding planning application on the site would not provide sufficient time to undertake a review and implement any changes before the May 2019 elections.

The committee debated the item and agreed to extend the area of the proposal to include the area of land subject to planning application P18/V0259/O because it is included as a strategic site within the Local Plan and the identities and interests of future residents would be more closely aligned with Faringdon than the small parish of Great Coxwell.

RESOLVED: To consult on a draft proposal to amend the boundary between Great Coxwell and Great Faringdon parishes to move land south of Faringdon from Great Coxwell parish into Great Faringdon parish as shown on the map attached to these minutes.