Agenda and draft minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Kemp.

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These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on any item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

There was none.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences. 

There was none.

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The Electoral Services Manager presented the report as included in the Agenda, highlighting the process and  consultation responses.

The Chair, Councillor Beales, thanked the Electoral Services Manager for the report and invited questions and comments from the Committee.

In response to questions from Councillors regarding quorum and minimum numbers of Parish Councillors, the Electoral Services Manager confirmed the minimum number of Parish Councillors was 5 and the quorum was defined as one third of the Parish Councillors (rounded up as necessary).

Councillor Crofts raised concern around a low number of Parish Councillors making important decisions, such as setting the precept, but acknowledged the need for the reduction in numbers and ultimately supported the recommendation.

RECOMMENDED: To recommend to Full Council, a reduction in the maximum number of Parish Councillors for Burnham Market from 11 to 8.

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The Electoral Services Manager presented the report as included in the Agenda, highlighting the process and consultation responses.

The Chair, Councillor Beales, thanked the Electoral Services Manager for the report and invited questions and comments from the Committee.

In response to a question from Councillor Lintern, the Electoral Services Manager confirmed that engagement with Hilgay had taken place, but also that Officers were obliged to maintain neutrality and limit advice to factual matters. It was confirmed that there were currently 9 Hilgay Parish Councillors and 2 for Ten Mile Bank with 2 vacancies.

A number of questions were raised regarding Clerk positions, the precept and the length of time the process would take. The Electoral Services Manager advised these would all be determined during the second consultation where discussions would be had around the potential make up of the Parish Councils. It was noted that Community Governance Reviews usually take around 12 months to complete.

Councillor Blunt referred to the recommendations set out in the report and asked if they supported option 2, would option 1 still be viable. The Electoral Services Manager reassured the Committee that conducting a second consultation does not obligate the Parish Council to split and that status quo could be maintained. The Committee were reminded that Full Council would make the ultimate decision.

RECOMMENDED: That the Electoral Arrangements Committee recommends to Full Council that a second consultation period is triggered for Hilgay, encompassing details including; councillor numbers, financial matters, asset allocations and election detail etc, noting that triggering the second consultation period does not necessarily mean that the Parishes would split and this would be reconsidered by the Committee at the end of the consultation period.

The Committee held a discussion around future items to be added to the Work Programme. The Electoral Services Manager advised the Work Programme was currently fluid and would be updated in coordination with Democratic Services.

Councillor Beales, Chair, requested that King’s Lynn Town Council be included in the Work Programme. 

8^th January 2026 at 4.30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.

The next Meeting was scheduled for 8^th January 2026 at 4.30pm in the Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.