Joint Statement from Ingatestone & Fryerning Parish Council and Mountnessing Village Council
COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE REVIEW: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS
Brentwood Borough Council is currently conducting a Community Governance Review (CGR), which includes consideration of changes to parish boundaries within the borough.
As part of the initial review process, both Mountnessing Village Council and Ingatestone & Fryerning Parish Council (IFPC) were invited to submit views. Mountnessing Village Council confirmed that it was satisfied with its existing parish boundaries and saw no need for change. IFPC submitted a response which included a boundary proposal affecting part of the Heybridge area, currently within the parish of Mountnessing.
When Brentwood Borough Council considered the submissions, a proposal was approved for public consultation. However, Mountnessing Village Council was not consulted on the proposal before it was presented to members and progressed to the next stage of the review process. This has been a significant concern for both councils.
Following publication of the consultation documents, IFPC became aware that the boundary proposal did not reflect its intended position. IFPC contacted Brentwood Borough Council and repeatedly requested that the proposal be corrected before the consultation proceeded. Despite these requests, the proposal has remained within the consultation documents – this forced IFPC to formally resolve to withdraw its original proposal and request that it be removed from the CGR. Mountnessing Village Council has also consistently opposed the proposal. Both councils are therefore united in the view that residents should not be asked to comment on proposals that do not reflect the current position of the councils concerned.
Both councils have formally asked Brentwood Borough Council to remove this element from the consultation. These requests have been denied. Any changes to parish boundaries may also have implications for parish precepts, therefore council tax paid by residents in affected areas may be liable to increase.
Both councils remain committed to maintaining a constructive relationship, working together in the best interests of residents, and seeking improvements to local services and facilities within the affected area, including Mountney Close play area.
What residents can do
Residents are encouraged to complete the consultation survey, either online or using the postal questionnaire to be provided by Brentwood Borough Council: www.brentwood.gov.uk/cgr
It is vital that as many responses as possible are heard to oppose a submission that isn’t recommended by either parish council and that has been made by officers with no local knowledge or insight to the parishes’ identities.
If you require assistance completing the survey, please contact either parish council clerk – they will be happy to help: clerk@mountnessingvillagecouncil.org.uk / clerk@ingatestone-fryerningpc.gov.uk
Kirsty Dale Chair of Mountnessing Village Council
Paul Jeater Chair of Ingatestone & Fryerning Parish Council
