Community Governance Review

by | Jul 20, 2018 | Dartford News

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has reviewed the borough ward boundaries for Dartford and has made some changes. These changes will come into effect from the local elections in May 2019.

Following the review by the LGBCE, Dartford Borough Council has now commenced a Community Governance Review to look at whether any of the parish arrangements need changing too. This review will include considering the following:

  • Creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes;
  • Altering the boundaries of existing parishes;
  • Making changes to the electoral arrangements of parish councils;
  • The dissolution of a parish council

A parish council is democratically elected and makes decisions on behalf of the people in the parish. It is the lowest tier of local government and has the power to add a precept (extra charge) to your council tax bill to pay for its activities.

It is quite some time since the parish arrangements were last reviewed and the Borough of Dartford has seen considerable changes since then. The Council wants to ensure that Parish and Town Council governance in the Borough of Dartford continues to be robust, representative and able to meet the challenges that lie before it.  Furthermore, it wants to ensure that there is clarity and transparency to the areas that parish and town councils represent and that the electoral arrangements are appropriate, equitable and readily understood by their electorate. Draft proposals for the parishes were approved by the General Assembly of the Council at its meeting on 16 July 2018. The Council now wants to hear your views on these proposals to help inform its final recommendations.

More information on the review can be found at www.dartford.gov.uk/CGR where you can see the Council’s draft proposals and submit your views and comments for consideration. The deadline for submissions is 3 September 2018. Alternatively, you can send your comments to Electoral Services, Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent DA1 1DR.

Following the consultation the Council will take these comments into review and publish the final recommendations in September 2018 and if required will make a Community Governance Reorganisation order to give effect to agreed changes. These changes will come into force at the May 2019 elections.

Messy Dash Makes a Big Impact- Local Families and Supporters Raise £21,000 for We Are Beams

In an explosion of colour, laughter, and community spirit, over 1,000 participants took part in the We Are Beams Messy Dash on Sunday 6th July, raising an outstanding £21,000 to support disabled children and their families. Held at Dartford...

Ben Portsmouth brings the ULTIMATE Elvis experience to Orchard West on Sunday, 31st August

Ben is not just a tribute artist; he is the real deal, being regarded as the closest living performer to the legendary Elvis Presley. With global success in over 20 countries, Ben Portsmouth brings energy, passion and authenticity in a way that no one else can...

HAMILTON’S CLEVE SEPTEMBER RETURNS IN TITLE ROLE OF ALADDIN AT ORCHARD WEST THIS CHRISTMAS

Having won Dartford audiences over in his performance in panto last year at Orchard West, the Olivier Award-nominated Cleve September is set to return this season in the title role of Aladdin. Cleve will take centre stage alongside the previously announced TV...

Two days of entertainment and activity coming to Dartford

Get ready for two days of incredible entertainment as the Big Day Out weekend returns to Dartford’s Central Park on 12-13 July, bringing with it live music, vintage steam vehicles, family-friendly activities, and more – all completely free! Saturday will kick-off with...

FIND DARTFORD’S JASMINE

OPEN AUDITIONS ANNOUNCED!Your Chance to Shine in This Year’s Magical Pantomime Aladdin! Orchard West and Imagine Theatre are on the lookout for a shining star as they launch open auditions toFIND DARTFORD’S JASMINE! Aspiring performers are invited to attend auditions...

New social supermarket opens in Dartford

Dartford Larder, a new social supermarket designed to provide an alternative to Foodbanks, has officially opened in Dartford. Situated in Copperfields Walk, Dartford Larder aims to: provide an affordable shopping experience, tackle food insecurity, and resolve food...

WALKING WITH THE DARTS | JUNE-JULY EDITION

Hello again, welcome to another edition of Walking With The Darts, a monthly update on all things related to Dartford FC, courtesy of Dartford Living Magazine. Before I begin, please accept my sincere apologies for the lack of content recently. It has been a hectic...

How to transform your home on a budget 

By Qashish Dhiraj Mehta  Giving your apartment a makeover can feel like a uphill task. With a limited budget and limited space, every piece of furniture, every decoration, and every storage solution has to work overtime. But here’s the good news: a tight pocket...

Your Plans, Our Support: How Wave Community Bank support the local community with affordable loans

Life in Dartford and the surrounding areas often brings new opportunities and unexpected needs. Whether you're dreaming of solar panels on your roof to cut energy bills, need a new car for the daily commute, or simply require a smaller loan to by a...

Why Your Savings Belong at Wave Community Bank (Especially if You’re in Dartford!)

When it comes to stashing away your hard-earned money, you've got options. Big banks, online-only institutions, and then there's your local credit union. While the giants often grab the headlines, there's a compelling case to be made for choosing a credit union...