Issue - items at meetings - Review of Ward Names

Report of the Chief Executive (copy attached).

RESOLVED –

(1)         That the results of the consultation be noted.

(2)         That the Governance Committee recommends Council to give approval for the name of Stanford Ward to be changed to Hove Park Ward.

(3)         That the Governance Committee recommends Council to agree that Patcham Ward retains its current name.

48.1         The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning proposals to change the names of Patcham Ward to Patcham and Hollingbury Ward, and Stanford Ward to Hove Park Ward (for copy see minute book).

48.2         The Chairman reported that, subject to the decision of the Committee, the report would go forward to Full Council on 28 January 2010. He explained that following on from the three recent consultations on ward name changes consideration would be given to how best to manage such requests in the future, including how a consultation would be triggered.

48.3         Councillor Kemble spoke on behalf of Councillor Brown, ward councillor for Stanford Ward, who was unable to attend the meeting. He commented that the consultation in relation to Stanford Ward was triggered by a petition signed by 21 people and that a relatively small majority of those who responded were in favour of the change; however, this represented only 7.2% of the total population of the ward. He put forward Councillor Brown’s concern that a significant historical reference would be lost if the name change were to be agreed.

48.4         Councillor Fallon-Khan highlighted the potential cost implications of further ward name changes triggered in similar circumstances.

48.5         Councillors Randall and Elgood agreed that although the process was easily triggered, until it was reviewed, it was appropriate to follow the existing process utilised by residents and let the Full Council decide.

48.6         RESOLVED –

(1)         That the results of the consultation be noted.

(2)         That the Governance Committee recommends Council to give approval for the name of Stanford Ward to be changed to Hove Park Ward.

(3)         That the Governance Committee recommends Council to agree that Patcham Ward retains its current name.