Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the head of legal and democratic on final recommendations in respect of a new parish on that part of the current parish of Harwell that lies to the east of the A34.

David Marsh, a Harwell resident, addressed the committee in respect of this item. He stated that whilst the area of the new parish was geographically part of Harwell parish, with the street names in the area associated in some way with people who have lived in Harwell, it was clear that the residents did not identify with Harwell village. The inclusion of Didcot in the name of the new parish would not be appropriate as it was not part of Didcot or Didcot Town Council and could lead people to consider they were residents of Didcot. With the adjacent District Ward and County Division both being known as Didcot West a similar name for the new parish would cause confusion. He suggested that Western Valley, a name proposed in the consultation responses, would be appropriate as it referenced both housing developments – Great Western Park and Valley Park. 

The committee considered the report of the head of legal and democratic on final recommendations in respect of the new parish on that part of the current parish of Harwell that lies to the east of the A34. Attached to the report was an Engagement Report which set out the findings of the consultation undertaken from 16 August until 30 September 2022.

The committee noted that the consultation responses showed support for the committee’s draft proposals in respect of the style of governance, ordinary year of election, council size and parish warding arrangements.

As part of the consultation the committee had agreed to consult on a parish name of “Harwell East”. The committee noted that the majority of respondents did not support the name with the majority supporting reference to Didcot, specifically Didcot West or West Didcot. This clearly reflected the fact that a large number of residents in the area did not associate themselves with Harwell but identified as being part of Didcot in respect of their community identity.

Whilst committee members acknowledged that it was understandable that residents within the area identified with Didcot due to the geographical proximity to the town, they agreed that the inclusion of Didcot in the name of the parish would not be appropriate. Geographically, as Didcot is located in the neighbouring district of South Oxfordshire, a separate parish with Didcot in the name would be confusing, also considering that Didcot West is the name of a district ward and county division within South Oxfordshire. The view was expressed that residents within Great Western Park were a distinct community with a separate identity from either Didcot or Harwell having its own resident’s association. The name of the parish should reflect this separate identity. The proposed name of Western Valley would provide a reference to the two housing developments in the area, Great Western Park and Valley Park, and provide such an identity.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the new parish will be called Western Valley.

2.    That a parish council be established called Western Valley Parish Council.

3.    That the effective date for the new parish will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42

To consider the report of the head of legal and democratic.

The committee considered the report of the head of legal and democratic which invited it to consider proposals for consultation on the creation of a new parish.

The committee was advised that Council had agreed, at its meeting held on 16 July 2014, to establish a new parish. In doing so, Council agreed that the Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee should determine the timing of the creation of the new parish. The committee had previously deferred consideration of the issue to allow for the community to grow and establish an identity and for further details regarding any unitary proposals for Oxfordshire to be discussed at that time.

Having previously agreed to create a new parish the committee was invited to agree to undertake consultation with local residents and stakeholders on the following matters:

·       The name of the parish.

·       Whether the new parish should have a parish council or an alternative style of council (community, neighbourhood or village).

·       The ordinary year of elections.

·       The council size (number of councillors).

·       Whether the parish should be divided into wards.

The committee welcomed progress on the implementation stage of the new parish. Although currently part of Harwell parish, the residents of the new area had a well-defined separate community which justified the creation of a new parish. Committee members expressed the view that the working title name for the new parish of Harwell East may not best reflect the identity of the area. Residents in the area did not necessarily identify with or feel part of Harwell and in fact many identify with Didcot.       

Officers responded to questions from committee members as follows:

·       Confirmed that Harwell East was a working title and that consultees would be asked to propose more appropriate names for consideration.

·       The size of the parish council (number of parish councillors) could be reviewed in the future to reflect any increase in the size of the electorate.

·       There is currently no proposal to alter the number of parish councillors for Harwell Parish Council.

·       The results of the consultation will be reported to a subsequent meeting of this committee to make a final decision and authorise officers to make the relevant Reorganisation Order to establish the new parish. The committee would be asked to establish a shadow authority to take forward issues such as the setting of a precept, appointing a clerk and finding a venue for council meetings.

·       The establishment of the new parish will not impact on either the district ward or county division boundaries.

·       The boundary of the parish would be along the side of the A34 bordering the new parish.

·       Clarification about which local authority had responsibility for the provision of parish boundary signs would be obtained.

RESOLVED: to consult on the following:

1.    the name of the new parish with a working name proposal of Harwell East;

2.    the style of council with a proposal that it should be a parish council and be called Harwell East Parish Council;

3.    the effective date for the new  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20