Recommendations for parish changes put forward as part of Community Governance Review

People are being asked for their say on recommendations of possible changes to the governance arrangements of some of Wiltshire's towns and parishes, as part of a Community Governance Review.

This Community Governance Review provides an opportunity to make changes to governance arrangements for town and parish councils, and parish areas. This is to ensure that they continue to be reflective of the identity and interest of local communities, and that they are as efficient and effective in their governance as can be.

In 2019-20 the Electoral Review Committee undertook a series of reviews of governance arrangements of parishes to ensure the community governance arrangements were still reflective of local identity and interests, and were effective and convenient. A number of requests for a review from parishes were not able to be scheduled in advance of the 2021 local elections. In September 2021, the Electoral Review Committee approved terms of reference for a further review and began gathering information for those areas.

The areas specifically named in this review are Malmesbury and St Paul Malmesbury Without; Beechingstoke and surrounding parishes (Woodborough, North Newnton, Wilsford, Marden, Patney, Stanton St Bernard); and Calne Without and surrounding parishes (Calne Without, Calne, Hilmarton, Cherhill, Compton Bassett, Heddington, Bremhill).  Proposals were also able to be made on any parishes surrounding those listed, if appropriate.

During information gathering  the committee carried out a public survey about the proposals in the areas included within the review. A total of 370 responses were received to the surveys, along with feedback via emails, public online meetings and online information gathering sessions.

The committee has developed a series of recommendations taking account of feedback received, and these are now being consulted on from now until 5 April 2022. The full draft recommendation document, an interactive map and the online survey can be found on the Wiltshire Council webpage at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council-democracy-cgr.

As part of the process the committee will also hold a series of public meetings in April for people to find out more on the recommendations and overall process.

The details of the meetings are:

• Calne and surrounding parishes - Tuesday 5 April - 7.00pm,  at Calne Town Hall
• Malmesbury and surrounding parishes - Thursday 21 April - 7.00pm,  at Malmesbury Town Hall

The committee will analyse responses to the consultation and will then determine whether to formulate its final recommendations, to be considered at Full Council in July 2022.

Any changes to electoral arrangements for parishes as a result of the current Community Governance Review would need to come into effect at the next scheduled ordinary parish council elections in May 2025. Any changes to the areas of parishes would have to be effective from the start of the financial year on 1 April 2025.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Chairman of the Electoral Review Committee of Wiltshire Council, said:

"As communities and their circumstances evolve it is important to review arrangements to ensure they best support community cohesion and efficiency of governance at the local community level.  We encourage people in the affected areas to have their say and engage in this key part of the review.  Their thoughts, feedback and opinions on the recommendations are very important to the overall process and will be fully considered and taken into account."