Post it note saying

Views sought on proposed changes to Easington and Belford Parish Councils

Local people are being asked to give their views on proposed changes to the electoral arrangements of Easington and Belford Parish Councils.

Belford Parish Council has requested the review which proposes to abolish Easington Parish Council and transfer its area into Belford Parish.

There has been no parish council in Easington for some years and recent efforts to generate interest have proved to be unsuccessful. However, it is considered important that the residents of Easington Parish should have some form of representation at parish level. 

In addition, Belford Parish Council has requested that three of its wards - Belford, Middleton and Warenton - are abolished. Many parish councils have abolished their wards as it is the view that a parish councillor represents the whole parish and not just their ward. It will also lead to lower election administrative costs.

A request has also been made to reduce the number of Belford Parish Councillors from 12 to 9. This is proposed as there have been a number of vacancies at recent elections.

If the abolition of Easington Parish and its area’s merger into Belford Parish is agreed then it will result in a slight increase in Council Tax payable by Easington Parish residents. On 2019-20 figures, a Band D property in Easington is £1,830.03 and in Belford £1,850.98.

Northumberland County Council has the powers to conduct community governance reviews which can involve creating new, or amalgamating parishes and amending electoral arrangements. Belford Parish Council has asked the authority to carry out such a review. 

The County Council is now consulting with local electors and other stakeholders in the area about the proposals. 

If approved, the recommendations of the review will lead to the abolition of Easington Parish and the transfer of its area into Belford Parish, the abolition of Belford’s ward system and a reduction in the number of councillors.

Maps can be found on the county council website www.northumberland.gov.uk and searching for community governance.

If you would like to make your views known, they should be submitted, in writing, by 21 November 2019 to :-

Lesley Bennett
Senior Democratic Services Officer, 
Democratic Services, 
Northumberland County Council, 
County Hall, 
Morpeth, 
Northumberland, 
NE61 2EF

OR E-mail - cgreviews@northumberland.gov.uk
 

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