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Community Governance Review
A Community Governance Review provides an opportunity to review and make changes to governance arrangements for town and parish councils
Overview
A Community Governance Review is a process which provides an opportunity to review, create and make changes to governance arrangements for town and parish councils and parish areas. We carried out a Community Governance Review of all existing parishes between March and May 2025. 73 responses were received.
Notice of Community Governance Review
Community Governance Review Terms of Reference
Submissions and recommendations
- Community Governance Review draft recommendations
- Community Governance Review initial submission
- Community Governance Review second stage submissions
Next steps
A report will be presented to full council on Thursday 25 September 2025 to decide on the recommendations. This will be available to view a week before the meeting on our website
Timetable of Community Governance Review
|
Stage of process |
Proposed dates |
|---|---|
|
Publication of terms of reference |
17 March 2025 |
|
Initial submissions invited/publicity campaign |
17 March |
|
Deadline for initial submissions |
16 May |
|
Consideration of submissions/preparation of draft recommendations |
19 May-13 June |
|
Publication of draft recommendations |
16 June |
|
Consultation on recommendations/ publicity campaign |
16 June |
|
Deadline for consultation responses |
8 August |
|
Consideration of responses and preparation of final recommendations |
11 August - 5 September |
|
Publications of final responses |
5 September |
|
Council meeting to make any Reorganisation Order |
25 September |
|
Effective date for revised electoral arrangements |
May 2026 |
What the review can and cannot change
The review may consider the following options:
- creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes
- the naming of parishes and the style of new parishes including the potential creation of town and parish councils
- the electoral arrangements for parishes. For instance, the ordinary year of elections; council size; the number of councillors to be elected to the council and parish warding
- grouping parishes under a common parish council or de-grouping parishes
- other types of local arrangements, including parish meetings
The review cannot:
- change the number of councillors on Hart District Council
- influence or change the amount of money that an existing parish or town council raises through Council Tax known as precept.
How the review will be carried out
When assessing any suggestions from interested parties, we are required to take into account the:
- impact of the community governance arrangements on community cohesion
- size, population and boundaries of a local community or parish suggestion
We are also need to ensure that community governance within the area under review will be:
- reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area
- effective and convenient
Any other factors, such as potential Council Tax precept levels, cannot be considered.
The reorganisation of Hampshire councils including Hart District Council will not effect parish or town councils, these will remain the same.
There are differences between parishes, district and the county council which are explained at Understand how your council works: Types of council - GOV.UK
Community Governance Review privacy notice
Department for Communities & Local Government offers advice about undertaking a review and implementing its recommendations.