Consultation closed: Tuesday 14 June 2022
Consultation opened: Wednesday 20 April 2022
We sought your views on a community governance review process for the parish of Arlesey.
A community governance review allows us to review and update community governance systems and structures, which may include:
- changing the boundaries of existing parishes
- creating new parishes
- merging parishes
- grouping parishes to work together
- changing the name of a parish council
- changing the number of councillors the parish has
- sub-dividing parishes into smaller parish wards
- changing existing parish ward boundaries
In this case, we specifically requested your feedback on a proposal by Arlesey Town Council to reduce the number of parish councillors from 12 to 7, which is considered an effective working number for a council. Fewer than 7 councillors can hinder decision-making if a councillor cannot attend a meeting.
It was an opportunity for you to share your views on how your local community is represented as part of the democratic process.
This community governance review was initiated by Arlesey Town Council after difficulties in attracting enough candidates for the 2019 parish elections.
View or download the Executive committee paper (PDF)
View or download appendix A (PDF)
View or download appendix B (PDF)
How does the consultation process work?
The Association of Electoral Administrators recommends two stages of consultation for a review, following the approach of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE).
The first stage gathers initial views, while the second seeks feedback on a preferred option. We are required to consult with local government electors in the review area and other individuals and organisations (such as parish councils) with an interest in the review. All written representations received during the consultation period will be considered and made available for public viewing.
First consultation stage
In this stage, we asked for your views and feedback on the current arrangements, especially the number of parish councillors. This consultation was open for 8 weeks.
A report of the feedback will be compiled and presented to our General Purposes Committee on 25 August 2022. At this meeting, the committee will agree on draft proposals for the second stage of public consultation.
Second consultation stage
The second stage will follow the General Purposes Committee meeting, where we will consult on the draft proposals. This consultation will last 12 weeks.
A final report will be presented to the General Purposes Committee for a final decision on 15 December 2022, and any changes will be implemented in time for the next town and parish council elections in May 2023.
All consultation responses will be logged. Responses received from parish councils or residents’ groups will be assumed to represent the official view of the whole group.