Local residents are being asked for their views on how many councillors should sit on Knaresborough Town Council.
Following a review of Harrogate Borough Council by the Local Government Boundary Commission, changes have been made to district ward boundaries within the town of Knaresborough. The commission determined that, from May 2018, the town of Knaresborough will now be divided into four wards, and not three.
This means that the parish ward boundaries must also change so that they are the same as the new district ward boundaries.
Knaresborough Town Council currently has 15 councillors, with each of its three wards represented by five councillors. Under the new warding arrangements, the 15 councillors will not be able to be split evenly across the four wards and therefore a review, known as a Community Governance Review, is required.
The review will look at:
- ·the number of councillors to be elected to each ward and
- the overall number of councillors to serve on the council
Following initial consultation between Knaresborough Town Council and Harrogate Borough Council ward members for Knaresborough, two options are being put forward:
Option 1: that there be three councillors elected to each of the four wards, and that the overall size of Knaresborough Town Council be 12 councillors
Option 2: that there be four councillors elected to each of the four wards, and that the overall size of Knaresborough Town Council be 16 councillors
Local residents are being asked to give their views on these two options in a survey, which will help determine the future size of Knaresborough Town Council.
Detailed information on the review, as well as its terms of reference and maps of the existing and new ward boundaries, are available on the council’s website at www.harrogate.gov.uk/rkcgr.
Forms are also available by contacting Harrogate Borough Council’s engagement team on 01423 500 600 or e-mail consultation@harrogate.gov.uk
Elizabeth Jackson, Member Services Officer at Harrogate Borough Council, said:
This consultation is an opportunity for Knaresborough residents to have their say on shaping the future of their town council.
Their views are an important and valued part of the Community Governance Review process.
The consultation ends on Friday 18 August 2017.
A Community Governance Review of Ripon City Council is also taking place.
