Community Governance Review - stage 2 - Tingrith

Responses from consultation

Parish meeting: Parish/Town Council initial proposal for consideration for the 2025 review

The parish meeting would like to formally request a review of the current boundary between Tingrith and Westoning – adjusting the boundary to include Chestnuts Caravan Park and Wood End (see attached map – proposed new boundary in red). The boundary follows the River Flit, wood, road and field boundaries.

We feel this adjustment would more accurately reflect the geographical, historical and community ties. It is also in response to representations from residents. The adjustment would have several benefits, including:

1. Improved representation – residents in The Chestnuts and Wood End are more aligned to a small village community. Some already contribute to the parish and participate in the parish meetings. A revised boundary would allow for more accurate representation and participation in local governance.
2. Community cohesion – the current boundary divides areas with strong historical and social connections. The postal addresses reflect this as they include Tingrith.
3. Local development plans – with the expansion plans for Westoning, the hamlet of Wood End better aligns with a small village such as Tingrith.

31 responses - the communication to the committee can be viewed in the General Purposes Committee papers.

Comments:

The parish meetings proposal was endorsed by other comments from the consultation. However, the general feedback received through the public consultation indicated a preference to retain the current level of representation and to make no other changes. This view has been considered alongside the working group’s rationale to ensure that any final draft recommendation reflects the aims of the terms of reference as well as the views of the community.

Draft recommendations

To not consult on the proposals to move the boundary to include Wood End and Chestnuts as there was no formal agreement from Westoning Parish Council. If both parishes agree, then a request could be considered at a later stage.

Reason for recommendations

In light of the representations received, the working group felt that the current arrangements reflect effective and convenient local government but that this should be reviewed via a future review.