Upton parish boundary changes move one step closer

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 27th Sep 2008

Northampton Borough Council's Cabinet has agreed to back a request from residents of Upton Grange and Upton Phase 1 to realign the parish boundary . Upton Parish is one of the areas that now finds itself included in the New constituency boundaries for South Northamptonshire as part of the West Hunsbury Ward which was previously in Northampton South.

Development at Upton Phase 1 has seen the original parish boundary disappear under buildings and roads. This resulted in 109 homes being served with incorrect Council Tax demands in 2007. Residents across both developments have tried on previous occasions to change the parish boundary, but their efforts were thwarted by technical and legal difficulties. A change in legislation in April 2008 passed more decision-making powers to local authorities so, supported by Paul Varnsverry, residents raised a petition which was handed to the Mayor at a Council meeting on September 8th.

Upton Grange resident, Michael Clarke, addressed the Cabinet meeting, held on Friday September 26th and asked them to endorse a recommendation to move the boundary to align its eastern edge with Upton Way. He was backed by Councillor Paul Varnsverry, who pointed out to the Cabinet that some 265 residents had made clear their wish to see the change implemented, adding that "this shows the extent of community spirit that exists in Upton".

Cabinet endorsed the report, with two minor modifications, and the recommendations will go to a future meeting of the full Council for approval.

Commenting upon hearing of the approval Scott Collins, who briefly met the residents prior to them presenting their petition to the Borough Council, said "It's fantastic news for the residents who have campaigned so hard and also removes an anomalous situation of a boundary which took no account of the growth of the area and the local area geography, Its really great news"

"It is also another example of residents campaigning to make their area better and in this case better represented by their Parish Council"