Wadebridge Town Council
Wadebridge Town Council
Cornwall Council is currently undertaking a Community Governance Review for the whole of Cornwall. The last time a full review of community governance arrangements took place across most of Cornwall was in the 1970s. Since then many towns and villages have grown.
Wadebridge Town Council have proposed a change to the boundaries of its parish which impact on the parish boundaries of Egloshayle and St Breock Parish Councils. We respect the history of both these parishes and acknowledge their request for no change and to keep things the same.
However, for Wadebridge, this Community Governance Review is not about keeping things the same. To do so would to be blinkered to the changes our communities have undergone since the last boundary review. A Community Governance Review should aim to create an organisation best placed to deliver the services required by the local community to improve community engagement, create more cohesive communities, provide better local democracy and ensure the efficient delivery of local services.
Wadebridge Town Council currently provide services to a much wider area than our boundaries define and to a significantly greater number of people than on our Electoral Roll. With additional homes projected and an associated increase in population there is a need to ensure that Wadebridge can respond to future challenges. A structure needs to be in place to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services which reflects the identities and interests of local communities. We need to be prepared for the future and be able to respond to and listen to those we represent.
A Community Governance Review is not about money, community funds or the Precept (council tax). It’s not about taking over anyone, it’s not about land grabbing and it’s certainly not about inflammatory headlines with no substance and which seek to divide. A Community Governance Review is a difficult and grown up conversation which needs to be had. It is an opportunity for discussion, a time for change and for working together to achieve more for those who we are here to serve.
Wadebridge Town Council have a wish to take on more devolved services, become a Social Housing provider, deliver Youth Services and work with the Police and other partner organisations to address issues in our town and surrounding communities for the benefit of everyone. We can no longer rely on historic parish boundaries to define who we are and what we do – change is needed.
Wadebridge Town Council Mayor, Cllr Phil Mitchell commented ‘By bringing our rural communities together we can achieve much more and become stronger by working together and focus on meeting the challenges facing our entire area. Our initial conversations with our Community have seen wide support for our proposal and we will continue to gather evidence to present to Cornwall Council’s Electoral Review Panel. We are listening to our Community when they say they wish to see the right services delivered for our area with all communities represented.’
A public engagement meeting will take place on Wednesday 2 October 2019 at 6.30pm (for a 7pm start) at St Issey Village Hall, Gardeners Way, St Issey, PL27 7RN to discuss the next stage of the review across Wadebridge and the surrounding area.
At this meeting Wadebridge Town Council, along with representatives of neighbouring parishes, will be presenting their proposed changes to the current arrangements and will be answering questions put to them by members of the public and by Cornwall Council’s Electoral Review Panel.
Elected members of Wadebridge Town Council will be in attendance and your attendance and input is welcomed. For more information you can also visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/governancereview of call Cornwall Council on 0300 123 1115.
Cornwall Council is currently undertaking a Community Governance Review for the whole of Cornwall. The last time a full review of community governance arrangements took place across most of Cornwall was in the 1970s. Since then many towns and villages have grown.
Wadebridge Town Council have proposed a change to the boundaries of its parish which impact on the parish boundaries of Egloshayle and St Breock Parish Councils. We respect the history of both these parishes and acknowledge their request for no change and to keep things the same.
However, for Wadebridge, this Community Governance Review is not about keeping things the same. To do so would to be blinkered to the changes our communities have undergone since the last boundary review. A Community Governance Review should aim to create an organisation best placed to deliver the services required by the local community to improve community engagement, create more cohesive communities, provide better local democracy and ensure the efficient delivery of local services.
Wadebridge Town Council currently provide services to a much wider area than our boundaries define and to a significantly greater number of people than on our Electoral Roll. With additional homes projected and an associated increase in population there is a need to ensure that Wadebridge can respond to future challenges. A structure needs to be in place to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services which reflects the identities and interests of local communities. We need to be prepared for the future and be able to respond to and listen to those we represent.
A Community Governance Review is not about money, community funds or the Precept (council tax). It’s not about taking over anyone, it’s not about land grabbing and it’s certainly not about inflammatory headlines with no substance and which seek to divide. A Community Governance Review is a difficult and grown up conversation which needs to be had. It is an opportunity for discussion, a time for change and for working together to achieve more for those who we are here to serve.
Wadebridge Town Council have a wish to take on more devolved services, become a Social Housing provider, deliver Youth Services and work with the Police and other partner organisations to address issues in our town and surrounding communities for the benefit of everyone. We can no longer rely on historic parish boundaries to define who we are and what we do – change is needed.
Wadebridge Town Council Mayor, Cllr Phil Mitchell commented ‘By bringing our rural communities together we can achieve much more and become stronger by working together and focus on meeting the challenges facing our entire area. Our initial conversations with our Community have seen wide support for our proposal and we will continue to gather evidence to present to Cornwall Council’s Electoral Review Panel. We are listening to our Community when they say they wish to see the right services delivered for our area with all communities represented.’
A public engagement meeting will take place on Wednesday 2 October 2019 at 6.30pm (for a 7pm start) at St Issey Village Hall, Gardeners Way, St Issey, PL27 7RN to discuss the next stage of the review across Wadebridge and the surrounding area.
At this meeting Wadebridge Town Council, along with representatives of neighbouring parishes, will be presenting their proposed changes to the current arrangements and will be answering questions put to them by members of the public and by Cornwall Council’s Electoral Review Panel.
Elected members of Wadebridge Town Council will be in attendance and your attendance and input is welcomed. For more information you can also visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/governancereview of call Cornwall Council on 0300 123 1115.