Community Governance Review - stage 2 - Houghton Regis

Responses from consultation

Town council:

At the HRTC Town Council meeting held on 14 May 2025 its formal response to CBC on this initial CGR consultation, reflecting on the deliberations of the nominated councillors and the discussion held with Chalton Parish Council. The following resolution was agreed:

• alteration – Houghton Regis Town Council (HRTC) wishes to suggest that part of Chalton Parish Council’s land bounded by the Houghton Regis parish boundary, the Luton Borough Council boundary, the Motorway M1 and the A5–M1 Link Road (Dunstable Northern Bypass) be transferred into the parish of Houghton Regis
• no. of cllrs – to ensure adequate demographic representation given the population growth of Houghton Regis it is requested that the number of Houghton Regis parish councillors be increased to 16 (from 14)
• parish warding – given the recent growth of Houghton Regis, a 4th ward to cover the growth area of Bidwell would support suitable demographic representation. This new ward should be named Thorn ward as it is reflective of historic name for this area. The suggested ward boundary would be from Bedford Road following the line of the public right of way to Blue Waters

At this time HRTC are unable to comment on how 16 councillors should be split across the 4 wards (as proposed) as CBC have not released population/electorate data in support of the CGR process.

HRTC request that HRTC councillors be split across the proposed 4 wards as evenly as possible such that each councillor represents the same number of electorate.

10 responses

Comments:

“Houghton Hall Ward is currently too big for the number of councillors due to growth in Thorn/Bidwell West. We either need a new ward for Thorn/Bidwell West or a split of Houghton Hall Ward. More town councillors needed to cover growth in population.”

“Have more councillors per ward including the new estates.”

“To a number that caters for the substantial population growth.”

“20, areas need more councillors as if area is too big, they won’t be able to help everyone. More councillors means more help to community members.”

“3+ swollen population.”

“The need to be working towards the same end and not be at each others necks. If the boundaries were removed everyone would have to work together to achieve a goal for the whole community instead of the selected areas.”

“5 swollen population.”

“8 councillors for HHall Ward 2 or 3 for Bidwell West possible incorporate Chalton.”

“Increase from 14 to 20.”

Draft recommendations

1. that the parish name of Houghton Regis should remain unchanged
2. increase the number of parish councillors on Houghton Regis Town Council from 14 to 17
3. create a new parish ward of Thorn with 3 members (see map)
4. reduce Houghton Hall parish ward from 5 to 4, retain Tithe Farm with 5 members
5. increase Parkside Ward from 4 to 5 to accommodate the Linmere Development
6. undertake a further community governance review of the parish within five years to ensure effective community governance arrangements in light of the development at Linmere
7. reject the proposal to extend the parish boundary into the parish of Chalton

Reason for recommendations

The recommendation to increase the number of councillors is made in accordance with the response of the Town Council to ensure effective and convenient local government and to improve representation and enhance community engagement and cohesion. The request to extend the eastern boundary into the parish of Chalton was not agreed due to the negative response from Chalton Parish Council.