Community Governance Review - Draft Recommendation 2(c) - Corby, Geddington, Newton and Little Oakley

Overview

Summary of Proposal

The town council proposals involve moving the boundary to generally run along the railway line adjacent to the A43. The proposal involves the transfer of land from Newton & Little Oakley parish into the parish of Corby.

Moving the boundary to run along the railway line would see the properties at Geddington Station and the Station Cottages moved from the parish of Newton & Little Oakley into the parish of Corby and the Oakley ward of Corby Town Council.

View the full submission (CGR 10, page 1) by Corby Town Council.

View a map (Draft Recommendation 2c, page 3) of the proposal.

Observations

Recommendations amending the boundary should be mindful of Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) guidance regarding the coterminosity of principal area and parish boundaries and the terms of reference for the review. Creating parish areas or parish wards that are split by principal area electoral boundaries is not consistent with LGBCE guidance.

The proposal involves transferring land from the parish of Newton & Little Oakley to the parish of Corby. The boundary suggested by the town council generally follows the railway line which is a well-defined feature, however, a small number of properties situated at Geddington Station with around 10 electors would be impacted by the proposed change.

Draft Recommendation (Recommendation 2c) - Corby - Newton & Little Oakley

c) That the parish boundary between the parishes of Corby and Newton & Little Oakley remains unchanged.

Reasons for recommendations: It is recommended that the parish boundary between Corby and Newton & Little Oakley remains unchanged, as there is insufficient evidence to suggest that an alternative boundary would better reflect community identity or support more effective and convenient local governance.

The existing boundary maintains established parish arrangements, provides continuity for residents, and avoids unnecessary changes to electoral administration. The current governance arrangements continue to reflect community interests and identities, and no significant issues have been identified that would justify a boundary amendment.

Whilst the A43 Corby Link Road now forms a clear physical barrier between the areas, the properties at Geddington Station have a long-established association with the parish of Newton & Little Oakley, and there is no evidence to suggest that this connection has changed.

In addition, the other proposed boundary change north of Little Oakley does not appear to follow a clearly identifiable physical feature. This would not be consistent with the review's terms of reference or with guidance that encourages the use of readily recognisable and durable boundaries wherever possible.

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