CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL

 

To: Councillors C Rosenstiel (Chair), Adey, Boyce,

Durrant, Hart, R Smith, Stebbings and Ward

Alternate member:  Councillor Reid

 

SPECIAL CIVIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

 

Date:           Wednesday 29th October 2003

Time:          The meeting is scheduled to start at the conclusion of the informal meeting with Political Party Agents (being held at 6.00pm)

 

Place:         Committee Room 1, The Guildhall

Contact:      Julia Harvey  Direct Dial:  (01223) 457086

 

 

AGENDA

 

1.       Apologies

         To receive any apologies for absence.

 
2.       Declarations of Interest

Members are asked to declare at this stage any interests that they may have in any of the following items on the agenda. Any member who is unsure whether or not they should declare an interest on a particular matter should seek advice from the Head of Legal and Democratic Services before the meeting.

 

3.          public question time see below for detail of the scheme and other public information.

 

4.       PROPOSALS FOR PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES IN THE COUNTIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH

 

As members are aware, the Boundary Commission has made proposals for changes to parliamentary constituencies in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The only proposed change affecting the City is for Trumpington to be moved from the South Cambridgeshire constituency to the Cambridge constituency. Comments on the proposals are needed by 31 October.

 

A petition has been received from over 40 residents of Cherry Hinton and reads as follows

 

“We understand that Cambridge City Council may submit  proposals for boundary changes which would exclude Cherry Hinton from the Cambridge City parliamentary constituency. 

 

Residents have not been formally consulted on any such proposals, nor are we likely to be, since the Council’s Civic Affairs Committee are expected to discuss the proposals on 29th October, and must make its recommendations to the Boundary Commission entered by 31st October.

        

We believe this situation is deeply regrettable, because Cherry Hinton village is bound by ties of history and interest to the city of Cambridge; because adoption of such a proposal would be likely seriously to disrupt local services, and isolate Cherry Hinton from its natural and historic parent community; and because we believe the proposal  may contain elements of crude political calculation, rather than community interest. 

        

We call on Cambridge City Council not to make such a proposal to the Boundary Commission.  Should the Commission receive such a proposal, we request that they reject it.”

 

Under the petition procedure, up to 4 persons may speak for a total of no more than 5 minutes in support of the petition.  The members of the meeting may question the persons presenting the petition for a period of up to 5 minutes. The period for questions may be extended from 5 minutes to 10 minutes at the discretion of the Chair.

 

5.       EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL ELECTIONS 2004: ELECTORAL PILOTS

 

Two consultation papers are attached to this agenda, to allow members to comment, if they wish. They both concern electoral pilots for the combined election in 2004. The first, published by the Electoral Commission, concerns the location of pilot schemes. The second, published jointly by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department for Constitutional Affairs, concerns the form which pilots might take. Comments on the first paper are due by 12 November, and on the second by 19 November.

 

Information for the public

 

You are welcome to attend this meeting as an observer.

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You can ask questions on an issue included on the agenda, or on an issue which is within this committee’s powers. If you wish to ask a question related to an agenda item contact the committee officer (listed above under ‘contact’) before the meeting starts.  If you wish to ask a question on a matter not included on this agenda, please contact the committee officer by 10.00am the working day before the meeting.  Further details  concerning the right to speak at committee can be obtained from the committee section.

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In the event of the fire alarm sounding  (which is a continuous ringing sound), you should pick up your possessions and leave the building by the route you came in. Once clear of the building, you should assemble on the pavement opposite the main entrance to the Guildhall and await further instructions. If your escape route or the assembly area is unsafe, you will be directed to safe areas by a member of Cambridge City Council staff.