Community Governance Review - Draft Recommendation 6 - Raunds

Overview

Summary of Proposal

The proposal notes that there is no strong or distinct community identity between the existing Saxon and Windmill wards. Town councillors currently operate on a town wide basis and represent the interests of the whole community.

The Town Council proposal recommends an increase in membership of the council from 12 to 15 councillors. The current representation equates to approximately 690 electors per councillor. An increase of 3 councillors would result in a representation of approximately 555 electors per councillor.

The Town Council believes the increase in councillors would promote effective and efficient local governance providing greater resilience, enabling more effective committee structures and ensuring appropriate capacity to support community initiatives and statutory responsibilities.

View the full submission (CGR 26, page 19)  by Raunds Town Council.

Observations

The town has experienced significant housing growth in recent years, resulting in anomalies within the current parish warding arrangements. In particular, existing ward boundaries divide properties within the same communities, including at Kelmarsh Avenue, Lamport Crescent and Boughton Lane.

The proposal to move to an unwarded council structure, supported by an increase in council membership from 12 to 15 councillors, simplifies electoral arrangements and removes existing ward boundary anomalies. The increase in councillor numbers improves the councillor-to-elector ratio, provides greater resilience within the council, strengthens committee capacity and supports the effective delivery of community initiatives and statutory functions.

Draft recommendation (Recommendation 6)

That the existing Saxon and Windmill ward structure be replaced with an unwarded town council, and the number of councillors is increased from 12 to 15.

Reason(s) for recommendation(s): Significant housing growth has reduced the effectiveness of the current warding arrangements and created anomalies where properties within the same communities are divided between wards. There is limited evidence of distinct community identities between the existing Saxon and Windmill wards. Councillors already operate largely on a town-wide basis when representing residents. An unwarded arrangement would simplify electoral administration and provide clearer representation for residents. Increasing council membership would improve representation, enhance committee capacity and support effective and convenient local governance.

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