Community Governance Review - Arlesey

Arlesey parish has a town council. It is unwarded and currently has 7 seats on the council previously 12 in 2019 and 15 in 2015 and earlier. The forecast planned development to March 2030 is estimated to add a further 589 dwellings which will generate approximately 1001 residents over the next 5 years.

The parish boundary adjoins the neighbouring parishes of Astwick, Fairfield, Henlow, Langford and Stotfold. The parish, together with the parish of Fairfield are coterminous within the district ward of Arlesey and Fairfield.

In 2011 the 11 candidates were elected without contest with the remaining 4 seats being filled by co-option. In 2018 a request was received from the town council to reduce the number of councillors from 15 to 12. The elections of 2019 had only 4 candidates who were elected without contest. However, to ensure that there would be sufficient councillors to administer the council pending co-option to the 8 outstanding vacancies 3 Central Bedfordshire councillors were appointed.

Statutory changes since the 2017/18 review

The Central Bedfordshire Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2018 reduced the number of councillors for the parish of Arlesey from 15 to 12.

In 2021 the town council submitted a further request to reduce the number of councillors from 12 to 7. We have this year now received a request from the town council to increase the number of councillors from 7 to 9.

The Central Bedfordshire Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2023 reduced the number of councillors for the parish of Arlesey from 12 to 7.

Parish/town council initial proposal for consideration for the 2025 review

Following debate of the upcoming community governance review during a meeting of Arlesey town council held on 15 April 2025 the council passed a resolution to formally request that the total number of council seats be increased to 9.