Community Governance Review - Shefford

Parish and ward information (Shefford)
Shefford parish topic Value
Number of councillors 15
Electorate as of 1 May 2025 5,797
Forecast electorate for 2030 5,804
Current ratio of electors to councillors 386
Forecast ratio of electors to councillors 387
Central Bedfordshire average ratio of electors to councillors 331

Shefford parish has a town council. It is unwarded and has 15 seats on the council. The planned forecast development to March 2030 is estimated at a further 4 dwellings which will generate approximately an additional 7 residents over the next 5 years.

The parish boundary adjoins the neighbouring parishes of Campton and Chicksands, Clifton, Meppershall and Southill. The parish, together with the parish of Campton and Chicksands are coterminous (i.e. they border each other in the same area) within the Central Bedfordshire ward of Shefford.

Seats and candidates
Number of seats 15
Number of candidates in 2023 12
Number of candidates in 2019 13
Number of candidates in 2015 12
Number of candidates in 2011 13

As can be seen from the table above there has not been a contested election since the creation of Central Bedfordshire. The elections in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 had insufficient candidates and consequently the candidates were elected without contest. The vacant seats were authorised to be filled by co-option.

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

No proposal received.