Community Governance Review
A Community Governance Review provides an opportunity to review and make changes to governance arrangements for town and parish councils
Overview
We carried out a Community Governance Review of all existing parishes from Monday 17 March to Friday 16 May.
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.
Next steps
The submissions will be considered and draft recommendations prepared from Monday 19 May-Friday 13 June.
Notice of Community Governance Review
Community Governance Review Terms of Reference
Community Governance Review privacy notice
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 2025 |
|
Deadline for initial submissions |
16 May 2025 |
|
Consideration of submissions/preparation of draft recommendations |
19 May-13 June 2025 |
|
Publication of draft recommendations |
16 June 2025 |
|
Consultation on draft recommendations/publicity campaign |
16 June 2025 |
|
Deadline for consultation responses |
8 August 2025 |
|
Consideration of responses/preparation of final recommendations |
11 August - 5 September 2025 |
|
Publications of final recommendations |
5 September 2025 |
|
Council meeting to make any Reorganisation Order |
25 September 2025 |
|
Effective date for any revised electoral arrangements |
May 2026 |
What the review can and cannot change
The review may consider one of more of 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 will be required to take into account both the:
- impact of the community governance arrangements on community cohesion
- size, population and boundaries of a local community or parish suggestion
We will also be required to ensure that community governance within the area under review would be:
- reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area; and
- effective and convenient
Any other factors, such as potential Council Tax precept levels, cannot be considered.
Have your say on the community governance review
We are not proposing any options at this stage but we are seeking proposals from:
- existing communities
- voluntary and interest groups
- individuals
- local organisations and businesses
- local representatives
- any other interest parties