Community Governance Review arrangements announced

A review has started into the arrangements for parish government in the Norton Radstock area.

The review follows two petitions being received by Bath & North East Somerset Council calling for separate parish councils for Midsomer Norton North, Midsomer Norton Redfield, and Westfield. The review also addresses community governance in Radstock because this area would be affected if the petitioners aims are successful.

A detailed consultation paper for local people and groups sets out the issues and contains information to help understand how any changes might affect them and invites comments through key questions.

To ensure that all residents in the Norton Radstock area are aware of the consultation and how to give their view the Council is distributing a leaflet to all households. The consultation document can be found at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/communitygovernance

Three consultation meeting events have been organized in Midsomer Norton, Westfield, and Radstock – details are below.  

The Council has a duty to ensure that any outcomes of such a review will provide effective and convenient arrangements for community governance. It must also ensure that there is clear community identity and community cohesion in whatever alternative community governance arrangements are put in place over the present arrangements. If boundaries are to change, the Council will need to be satisfied that logical and identifiable communities are not broken up.

Consultation Meeting Details

Monday 8th March 2010 – St Nicholas Primary School Hall, Kilmersdon Road, Radstock BA3 3QG

Wednesday 10th March 2010 – Old Town Hall, The Island, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2HQ.

Friday 12th March 2010 – Westhill Gardens Sports and Social Club, Westhill Road, Westfield, Radstock, BA3 3TE

All meetings will start at 18:00 (doors open at 17:30)

How to give your view

Submit your comments to Community Governance Review,  c/o L Thyer, 4th Floor, Riverside, Temple Street, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1LA or by email to Community_Governance_Review@bathnes.gov.uk

Consultation will end on 30th April 2010 after which views will be considered and recommendations formulated in an open public meeting by a Council Working Group consisting of the Council’s four group leaders.  The full Council will meet in July 2010 to consider the recommendations of the Working Group.