Community Governance Review of Normandy Parish

What are we consulting on?

We are consulting the public on the request in the petition referred to above, which is

To increase the number of parish councillors on Normandy Parish Council from seven to nine.

If approved, the change will come into effect on the date of the next scheduled parish council elections on 2 May 2019.

For the purposes of this review, we are also required by law to make recommendations on other related "electoral arrangements" in respect of Normandy Parish Council, as follows:

(a) the year in which ordinary elections of parish councillors are to be held

(b) the division (or not) of the parish into wards for the purpose of electing parish councillors

(c) the number and boundaries of any such wards

(d) the number of parish councillors to be elected for any such ward

(e) the name of any such ward.

In relation to (a) above, we propose that no change be made to the year of ordinary elections, as they currently coincide with borough council elections and elections to other parish councils in the borough.

In relation to (b) to (e) above, the introduction of 'wards' would mean that each parish councillor would be elected by voters living within a particular area (or ward) within the parish, and they would represent those voters on the parish council. We propose that, irrespective of the outcome of this community governance review, Normandy Parish Council should continue to be unwarded, that is, no change be made. Normandy Parish Council supports this proposal.

We would therefore like to know what you think of the proposals to:

1. increase the number of parish councillors on Normandy Parish Council from seven to nine

2. make no other changes to the electoral arrangements in respect of Normandy Parish Council

How to let us know your views

The deadline for replies is 5pm on Friday 8 December 2017. 

1. You can fill in our Community Governance Review online form.

2. Send us your views by post.

3. Email us.

Please ensure that you state your name and address clearly on any representations submitted. 

By post

Please include your name and address in your letter.

Replies should be sent to:

John Armstrong
Democratic Services Manager
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB

By email

Please include your name and address in your email.

Email: committeeservices@guildford.gov.uk

Please send your reply to reach us no later than 5pm on Friday 8 December 2017. 

Please note:

• any submissions received after 5pm on 8 December 2017, or any representations submitted anonymously, will not be taken into account.

• the consultation stages of a Community Governance Review are public consultations. In the interests of openness and transparency, we will make available for public inspection full copies of all representations taken into account as part of this review.

Background information  

The parish of Normandy is within the Normandy ward of Guildford Borough Council. It is also located within the Worplesdon Division of Surrey County Council and forms part of the Woking Parliamentary Constituency.

You can view a map of the parish area here. [1.45MB]

What do parish councils do?

View online a summary of the general powers and duties of parish councils. [140.92KB]

Electorate forecast

For the purpose of this review, we are required to forecast the expected growth in dwellings/traveller pitches for the Parish of Normandy for the coming five years.

The forecast amounts to 24 homes (this figure includes permissions, sites identified in the Land Availability Assessment and Local Plan allocations). However, this figure assumes that all of the homes expected to be delivered within the first five years of the Local Plan period (2019/20 - 2023/24) would be delivered five years from now, which may not be the case.

What happens next?

In arriving at our final recommendations, we will take account of the views of local people and any other person or body who appears to have an interest in the Review by judging them against the criteria set out in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and associated government guidance.

We will take steps to notify consultees of the outcome of the review by publishing all decisions taken, together with reasons, on our website (and ask Normandy Parish Council to publish the same on their website), through general press releases, and by having key documents available to the public at Guildford Borough Council's offices and at the office of Normandy Parish Council.  

If any change to the electoral arrangements for Normandy Parish Council is approved, a Community Governance Reorganisation Order will be made to give effect to the change.

Community Governance Review timetable

A Community Governance Review must, by law, be concluded within a 12-month period from the day on which we receive a valid community governance petition and ending on the day on which we publish the final recommendations.

The agreed timetable for the Community Governance Review is set out below: