Why are we conducting a Community Governance Review?
On 20 June 2025, the Standards and Governance Committee recommended to full council, who subsequently agreed on 16 July 2025, to conduct a Community Governance Review (CGR) for a defined number of parish areas.
It is proposed that the CGR commence on 29 September 2025. The council must as part of the CGR consult with local people and take into account any representations made in connection with the review. The CGR must ensure that the proposed community governance reflects the interests and identities of the community. It must also ensure that the arrangements are effective and convenient for the electors of that community.
The terms of reference define the parish areas subject to the proposed CGR. The areas for review have been identified by considering:
- any requests that have been made for a CGR
- where the council’s electoral services team have identified that there are grouped parish councils which are not currently represented in each parish area and as such may benefit from a review
- where the council’s electoral services team have identified that there is an internal ward boundary that would benefit from clarification and a review
A CGR will not automatically mean there will be changes but it will examine whether there is a case for change. Any neighbouring parishes that could be affected by the above requests and proposals will also be included in the consultation exercise.
Who will undertake the CGR?
As the relevant principal authority, we are responsible for conducting any CGR’s within our electoral area.
We will oversee the review and produce draft and final recommendations. In coming to its recommendations, we will need to take account of the views of local people. A full consultation process will form part of the CGR to ensure that the views of local people are considered. Full council will approve the final recommendations before a Re-organisation Order is made.
How will the review be carried out?
Before making any recommendations or publishing final proposals, we must consult local government electors for the area under review and any other person or body, including a local authority, which appears to us to have an interest in the review. The review consists of 2 phases of consultation before reaching any final recommendations.
Parish areas under review
A list of all parishes under review, including any affected neighbouring parishes, can be found in our Terms of reference.
To respond to our online survey please click on the relevant parish below:
Areas which have a parish meeting but do not have a parish council, wishing to review their boundaries
Parish councils or residents in the area have asked to review the boundaries and governance arrangements
- Kirby Hill and District Parish Council
- Lillings Ambo Parish Council
- Newall with Clifton Parish Council
- Thorpe Willoughby Parish Council
- Welburn Parish Council
Request that the parish council be dissolved, and a parish meeting be put in its place
Grouped parish councils not currently represented in each parish area
- Constable Burton and Finghall Parish Council
- Hudswell and District Parish Council
- Kirklington with Sutton Howgrave Parish Council
- Thornton-le-Beans with Crosby and Cotcliffe Parish Council
Parish ward boundaries require clarification
Parish councils requesting a review with a view to reducing their council size to enable them to be quorate
Stage one key dates
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 16 July 2025 | We considered a report from the full council meeting and approved the Community Governance Review. |
| 29 September 2025 | |
| 29 September to 22 December 2025 | Formal stage one consultation live |