Local government in Peterborough

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The City of Peterborough in the East of England[1] was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1874; from 1888 it fell within the jurisdiction of the Soke of Peterborough county council and from 1965 Huntingdon and Peterborough county council. In 1974 it was replaced by a wholly new district, broadly corresponding to the Soke, in the new enlarged Cambridgeshire. In 1998 Peterborough became independent of Cambridgeshire county council as a unitary authority, but it continues to form part of that county for ceremonial purposes as defined by the Lieutenancies Act 1997.

The leader and cabinet model of decision-making was adopted by the city council in 2001. The Conservative Party has held control of the council since 2002. The next election will take place in 2010.

The Arms of Peterborough City Council, granted 1960
The Arms of Peterborough City Council, granted 1960

Contents

[edit] Incorporation

A public enquiry was held in 1873 to determine whether it would be advantageous for the city to be administered by a municipal corporation. The result being in the affirmative, the city council, sometimes archaically called the corporation, was founded by a Charter of Incorporation dated 17 March 1874, under the government of a mayor, six aldermen and 18 councillors.[2] Something of an anomaly, the Parliamentary Boundary Commission of 1868 had decided that the urban parts of Fletton and Woodston were so involved in Peterborough that they ought to be in the borough and added the newly built-up portions of these parishes to the parliamentary constituency. In local matters they were still in Huntingdonshire and, as the City of Peterborough did not extend south of the river, the full title of the new municipality was the City and Borough of Peterborough and its inhabitants, citizens and burgesses.[3]

In 1927 the city council submitted a memorial to the Minister of Health for permission to extend the borough boundary to include Gunthorpe, Longthorpe, Paston, Walton, Werrington and the area north-east of Fengate; this became effective from 1929.[4] Until this point the council were using the Guildhall and a large number of subsidiary offices, but the need to widen Narrow Bridge Street and the need for a new Town Hall came together in a combined scheme, resulting in the building of the present Town Hall. It was opened in 1933 and accommodated both Peterborough city council and the former Soke of Peterborough county council.[5][6]

Under the Local Government Act 1888, the ancient Soke of Peterborough formed an administrative county in its own right, with boundaries similar, although not identical, to the current unitary authority. The area however, remained geographically part of Northamptonshire until 1965, when the Soke of Peterborough was merged with Huntingdonshire to form the county of Huntingdon and Peterborough.[7] The municipal borough covered the urban area only. Under the Local Government Act 1972, Huntingdon and Peterborough was abolished and the current district created, including the outlying rural areas which had together formed the Soke.[8] Although as a result of intervening development and a new town project, the present district has a much larger population than the Soke had.[9] Having petitioned for borough status under Section 245 of the Act, letters patent were granted continuing the style of the city over the wider area.[10] This became part of the non-metropolitan county of Cambridgeshire.

In 1998 the Peterborough became autonomous of Cambridgeshire county council as a unitary authority; but it continues to form part of that county for ceremonial purposes.[11] Policing in the city remains the responsibility of Cambridgeshire Constabulary. The police authority comprises 17 members, including nine councillors, of which seven are nominated by Cambridgeshire county council and two are nominated by Peterborough city council.[12] Firefighting remains the responsibility of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. The joint fire authority comprises 17 elected councillors, 13 from Cambridgeshire county council and four from Peterborough city council.[13] Nowadays the Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, one of few of its kind, effectively functions as a retained fire station, responding to calls as directed by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.[14]

[edit] Governance

The leader and cabinet model of decision-making, adopted by the city council under the Local Government Act 2000, is similar to national government. The council appoints the Leader (usually a member of the group with the political majority) and he or she appoints up to nine other councillors to serve on the cabinet. The cabinet members, one of whom is appointed Deputy Leader, assume responsibility for different key areas of local governance.[15] The full council meets around ten times a year. There are decisions that only full council can make, these include setting budgets and spending programmes, setting council tax levels and approving major policies and priorities. In addition to the Leader of the Council, the council also appoints the Mayor of Peterborough, the Deputy Mayor, committee chairmen and the Chief Executive. The cabinet and committees report to, and are accountable to, council.

The council's budget for the financial year 2008/9 is £236.9 million.[16] The main source of non-school funding is the formula grant, which is paid by government to local authorities based on the services they provide. The remainder, to which the police and fire authorities (and parish council where this exists) set a precept, is raised from council tax and business rates.

The city council elects a Mayor to serve for a term of one year. The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Peterborough, Cllr. Mrs. Marion Yvonne Todd (Con. East) was elected 121st Mayor of Peterborough on 22 May 2007 and will remain in post until 21 May 2008. The Deputy Mayor is Cllr. Mrs. Patricia Nash MBE (Con. Bretton North). Although the powers of the Mayor have diminished over time, the role has retained its importance. The Mayor also has a key democratic role to play, acting as a politically impartial chairman of the council and making sure that proper conduct takes place in the chamber during its meetings.[17] Mayoralty of the unitary authority has been held by the following councillors:

Tenure Incumbent
1998–1999 Mary Beatrice Rainey BEd (Hons)
1999–2000 John Ernest Graham Bartlett
2000–2002 Raymond Arthur Pobgee MBE, DL
2002–2003 Clifford Stanley Horace Sneesby
2003–2004 David Raines
2004–2005 Raja Akhtar
2005 died John Ray Horrell CBE
2006 David Thorpe
2006–2007 Michael Burton OBE, FRIN

The East of England Regional Assembly is based at Flempton, near Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk. The assembly was created as a voluntary regional chamber by the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. The first meeting was held in March 1999. Following criticism of the regional assemblies, it was proposed in July 2007 that they will be axed, losing their role by 2010.[18]

[edit] Political control

Political control of the unitary authority has been held by the following groups:

Logotype of Peterborough City Council, adopted 1998
Logotype of Peterborough City Council, adopted 1998
Election Party Seats   +/-  
1997 Labour 25
1999 No overall control
Lab largest single party		 25 0
2000 No overall control
Con largest single party		 27 +3
2001 No overall control
Con largest single party		 26 -1
2002 Conservative 29 +2
2004 Conservative 33 +9
2006 Conservative 35 +3
2007 Conservative 40 +5

The council comprises 57 councillors who represent the city and surrounding villages. Each councillor typically serves for a four year term, representing an electoral ward. Wards are divided so that each councillor serves an average of around 2,000 electors.[19]

These are (in alphabetical order): Barnack, Bretton North, Bretton South, Dogsthorpe, Fletton, Glinton and Wittering, Newborough, Northborough, Orton Longueville, Orton Waterville, Orton with Hampton, Park, Paston, Peterborough Central, Peterborough East, Peterborough North, Peterborough West, Ravensthorpe, Stanground Central, Stanground East, Eye and Thorney, Walton, Werrington North, and Werrington South.[20]

Each ward elects up to three councillors by the first past the post system of election. Barnack, Bretton South, Newborough, Northborough, and Stanground East each elect one councillor; Eye and Thorney, Glinton and Wittering, North ward, Ravensthorpe, and Walton each elect two. The current composition of the city council is as follows:[21]

Party Seats   +/-   Group
Conservative 43 +4
Labour 2 0
Liberal Democrat 3 -1
Liberal 3 0 Peterborough
Independent Forum
Independent 6 -3
Conservative hold

The Green Party of England and Wales and United Kingdom Independence Party also put forward candidates for election, however, these were unsuccessful.

Cllr. John Peach (Park), Cabinet Member for Finance and Human Resources, was appointed Leader of the Council on 18 April 2006; the Deputy Leader is currently Cllr. Stephen Goldspink (East), Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Business Improvement.[22]

[edit] District elections

Shown within Cambridgeshire
Shown within Cambridgeshire

One third of the council is elected each year, followed by one year without elections. At the last election there were 70 candidates contesting 20 seats. In 2007, turnout at the polling stations ranged from 26% in Orton Longueville to 55% in Central ward.[23] At the previous election, voters were required to provide a signature before being issued with a ballot paper.[24] This pilot scheme trialled new procedures which are now included in the Electoral Administration Act 2006.[25]

Civil parishes do not cover the whole of England and mostly exist in rural areas. They are usually administered by parish councils which have various local responsibilities. Parish councillors, like city councillors, are elected to represent the views of local people. Ailsworth, Bainton, Barnack, Borough Fen, Bretton, Castor, Deeping Gate, Etton, Eye, Glinton, Helpston, Marholm, Maxey, Newborough, Northborough, Orton Longueville, Orton Waterville, Peakirk, St. Martin's Without, Southorpe, Sutton, Thorney, Thornhaugh, Ufford, Upton, Wansford, Wittering, and Wothorpe each have a parish council. The city council also works closely with Werrington neighbourhood association which operates on a similar basis to a parish council.[40] Parish elections are held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors for the district.

In April 2008 a former Mayor, Mohammed Choudhary, was convicted for making a false instrument, namely a poll card, in connection with vote-rigging allegations during the 2004 election.[41][42] In May 2008 Chief Executive, Gillian Beasley, said "People can have confidence in this result because measures that have been put in place have ensured that the vote was carried out within the law." Mrs. Beasley also revealed the city council is to write a report on tackling election fraud, after the Electoral Commission said it could be adopted as best practice. As part of the drive to reduce election fraud, the council sent out blank registration forms, resulting in more than 8,000 people falling off the electoral roll.[43]

[edit] By-election results

Northborough By-Election: 13 July 2006[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Peter Hiller 393 44.6 -16.5
Independent Simon Potter 388 44.0 +18.3
Liberal Democrat Peter Stead-Davis 64 7.3 +7.3
Labour Mark Duckworth 36 4.0 -9.2
Majority 5 0.6
Turnout 881 41.0
Conservative hold Swing
West Ward By-Election: 18 September 2003[45]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Matthew Dalton 1,405 69.5 +1.6
Liberal Democrat Jessica Story 393 19.4 +8.1
Labour Michael Langford 224 11.1 -5.2
Majority 1,012 50.1
Turnout 2,022 33.2
Conservative hold Swing
Walton By-Election: 13 February 2003[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrat Christopher Spencer 640 52.8 +1.1
Conservative Brian Hutchinson 355 29.3 +4.5
Labour Mary Rainey 218 18.0 -5.5
Majority 285 23.5
Turnout 1,213 30.5
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
North Bretton By-Election: 22 March 2001[47]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Angus Ellis 805 53.7 -7.4
Conservative Sheila Scott 591 39.5 +0.6
Liberal Democrat Rohan Wilson 102 6.8 +6.8
Majority 214 14.2
Turnout 1,498 26.8
Labour hold Swing

[edit] References

  1. ^ The nine Government Office regions formed in 1994, were adopted in place of the eight standard statistical regions in 1999. East Anglia is now defined as Level 2 Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics. See Hierarchical list of the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics and the statistical regions of Europe The European Commission, Statistical Office of the European Communities (retrieved 06 January 2008)
  2. ^ Incorporation of Peterborough: Report of the enquiry held at the New Hall by Major Donnelly J.S. Clarke, Peterborough, 1873
  3. ^ Tebbs, Herbert F. Peterborough: A History (p.54) The Oleander Press, Cambridge, 1979
  4. ^ Mellows, William Thomas Peterborough's Municipal Jubilee: a record of 50 years of Local Government 1874–1924 Peterborough Standard, 1924. See 17 & 18 Geo. 5 c.xciv ext.(mods.) - Min. of Health Provnl.O.Confn.(Peterborough Extn.) 1928 (c.xix), art.27(1)(a), sch.2 pt.I of O. ss. 5-9,20,23,24 appl.- Soke and City of Peterborough 1929 (c.lviii), s.33
  5. ^ The Municipal Buildings Peterborough Standard for Peterborough City Council, 26 October 1933
  6. ^ Mellows, William Thomas An outline of the history of Peterborough's public buildings Peterborough Citizen and Advertiser, 1934
  7. ^ The Huntingdon and Peterborough Order 1964 (SI 1964/367), see Local Government Commission for England (1958–1967), Report and Proposals for the East Midlands General Review Area (Report No.3), 31 July 1961 and Report and Proposals for the Lincolnshire and East Anglia General Review Area (Report No.9), 07 May 1965
  8. ^ The English Non-Metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972 (SI 1972/2039) Part 5: County of Cambridgeshire
  9. ^ The Peterborough New Town (Designation) Order 1967 under section 1 of the New Towns Act 1965, see the London Gazette (Issue 44377) published 01 August 1967
  10. ^ Issued under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 25 June 1974, see the London Gazette (Issue 46334) published 28 June 1974
  11. ^ The Cambridgeshire (City of Peterborough) (Structural, Boundary and Electoral Changes) Order 1996 (SI 1996/1878), see Local Government Commission for England (1992), Final Recommendations for the Future Local Government of Cambridgeshire, October 1994 and Final Recommendations on the Future Local Government of Basildon & Thurrock, Blackburn & Blackpool, Broxtowe, Gedling & Rushcliffe, Dartford & Gravesham, Gillingham & Rochester upon Medway, Exeter, Gloucester, Halton & Warrington, Huntingdonshire & Peterborough, Northampton, Norwich, Spelthorne and the Wrekin, December 1995
  12. ^ About the Authority Cambridgeshire Police Authority (retrieved 09 December 2007)
  13. ^ The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (retrieved 09 December 2007)
  14. ^ Walton, Jemma Meet Peterborough's Volunteer Fire Brigade team Peterborough Evening Telegraph, 26 July 2007
  15. ^ Modular constitutions for English local authorities Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions, February 2001
  16. ^ Council Tax Summary and A–Z Guide Peterborough City Council, 01 April 2008
  17. ^ Mayoralty of Peterborough Peterborough City Council (retrieved 06 May 2007) includes a complete list of previous incumbents
  18. ^ New Assembly Chairman calls on Government to let communities shape their own future East of England Regional Assembly, 30 July 2007
  19. ^ Councillors by Name, Ward and Group Peterborough City Council (retrieved 06 May 2007)
  20. ^ The City of Peterborough (Electoral Changes) Order 2003 (SI 2003/161) and The City of Peterborough (Electoral Changes) (Amendment) Order 2004 (SI 2004/721), see Boundary Committee for England report to the Electoral Commission Final Recommendations on the Future Electoral Arrangements for Peterborough, July 2002
  21. ^ Elections 2008 BBC News, 02 May 2007 03:25 BST
  22. ^ Cabinet Members and areas of responsibility Peterborough City Council (retrieved 06 May 2007)
  23. ^ Elections 07 Photo slideshow: Tories tighten their grip on city Peterborough Evening Telegraph, 04 May 2007
  24. ^ Peterborough City Council (Election Security Measures) Pilot Order 2006. See Electoral pilot scheme evaluation The Electoral Commission, 04 August 2006
  25. ^ Mellows–Facer, Adam Local elections 2006 House of Commons Research Paper 06/26, 10 May 2006
  26. ^ Vote 99 Locals BBC News (retrieved 28 December 2007)
  27. ^ Peterborough Election Results Peterborough City Council, 05 May 2000
  28. ^ Vote 2000 BBC News (retrieved 10 May 2008)
  29. ^ Peterborough Election Results Peterborough City Council, 08 June 2001
  30. ^ Vote 2001 BBC News (retrieved 10 May 2008)
  31. ^ Local Election Results 2002 Peterborough City Council (retrieved 04 May 2007)
  32. ^ Vote 2002 BBC News (retrieved 10 May 2008)
  33. ^ Local Election Results 2004 Peterborough City Council (retrieved 04 May 2007)
  34. ^ Vote 2004 BBC News, 12 June 2004 02:31 BST
  35. ^ Local Election Results 2006 Peterborough City Council (retrieved 04 May 2007)
  36. ^ Election 2006 BBC News, 05 May 2006 15:19 BST
  37. ^ Local Election Results 2007 Peterborough City Council (retrieved 04 May 2007)
  38. ^ Election 2007 BBC News, 04 May 2007 00:34 BST
  39. ^ Local Election Results 2008 Peterborough City Council (retrieved 10 May 2008)
  40. ^ Parish Councils and Councillors Peterborough City Council (retrieved 28 December 2007)
  41. ^ Former mayor is charged following vote rigging probe Peterborough Evening Telegraph, 30 August 2007
  42. ^ Three jailed over rigged election BBC News, 07 April 2008 19:16 BST
  43. ^ Muir, Jonny Election 2008: A fair poll free of any irregularities Peterborough Evening Telegraph, 02 May 2008
  44. ^ Following the death of the late Cllr. Benjamin Franklin, Conservative wins Northborough by-election by five vote margin Peterborough City Council, Ref. 06/07/ML, 13 July 2006
  45. ^ Following the death of the late Cllr. Rex Perkins, By-Election Result 2003 Peterborough City Council (retrieved 04 May 2007)
  46. ^ Following the death of the late Cllr. Phillip Sharp, Walton By-Election Result Peterborough City Council, 14 February 2003
  47. ^ Following the resignation of former Cllr. John Johnson, North Bretton By-Election Result Peterborough City Council, 23 March 2001

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


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The City of Peterborough

Ailsworth • Bainton • Barnack • Borough Fen • Bretton • Castor • Deeping Gate • Dogsthorpe • Eastfield • Eastgate • Etton • Eye • Eye Green • Fengate • Fletton • Glinton • Gunthorpe • Hampton • Helpston • Longthorpe • Marholm • Maxey • Millfield • Netherton • Newark • Newborough • New England • Northborough • The Ortons • Parnwell • Paston • Peakirk • Ravensthorpe • Southorpe • Stanground • St. Martin's Without • Sutton • Thorney • Thornhaugh • Ufford • Upton • Walton • Wansford • Werrington • West Town • Westwood • Wittering • Woodston • Wothorpe 
Places of interest: Peterborough Cathedral - Burghley House - Longthorpe Tower - Thorpe Hall - Flag Fen - Nene Valley Railway - Nene Park - Castor Hanglands NNR - Barnack Hills & Holes NNR - Bedford Purlieus NNR
Other establishments: Peterborough railway station - Peterborough Power Station - HMP Peterborough - Edith Cavell Hospital - Peterborough Regional College - Queensgate shopping centre
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