Have your say on town and parish council consultation

People are being asked to take part in an online consultation on proposals to change governance arrangements in some of Wiltshire's towns and parishes.

This is part of the Community Governance Review process, which provides an opportunity to make changes to governance arrangements for town and parish councils, and parish areas. The process ensures that town and parish councils 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.

The process is overseen by Wiltshire Council's Electoral Review Committee which also makes recommendations.

A previous consultation on the draft recommendations has already taken place (between 7 February - 28 March). Following consideration of all responses and evidence at a meeting on 20 April 2023, the Committee agreed to amend its draft recommendations for several areas and agreed to an additional consultation period.

The additional draft recommendations relate to the following parishes:

• Castle Combe
• Grittleton
• Heywood
• Nettleton
• Tidworth
• Westbury
• Yatton Keynell

The consultation is now open and runs until 7 June and it, plus more information, can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council-democracy-cgr.

Cllr Ashley O'Neill, Chairman of the Wiltshire Council Electoral Review Committee, said: Following the original consultation earlier this year and in response to feedback, we agreed to amend some of the draft recommendations for several areas. It is important for the public to have their say, and therefore to conduct another public consultation. This will help us to ascertain if the proposals being considered are appropriate for the areas in question and the residents involved.

I'd encourage as many people as possible in the impacted areas to provide their feedback on these important proposals.

The committee will consider all responses and, if appropriate, then prepare Final Recommendations to be considered at Full Council in July 2023.

Any changes to electoral arrangements for parishes arising from the review would come into effect from the next scheduled ordinary parish council elections in May 2025.

More information can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council-democracy-cgr.