Eleven town and parish boundaries in Stroud district could change - but the council needs your views

Parish and town councils could change their boundaries to better reflect changes in landscape and population - and everyone can have their say.

Stroud District Council has launched a public consultation which offers councils and residents the opportunity to review and make changes to community governance in their areas. 

The areas under review are: 

Cam

Dursley

Eastington

Frampton-on-Severn

Horsley

Hunts Grove

Minchinhampton

Nailsworth

Standish

Stonehouse

Woodchester

The review will consider a number of issues including whether to:

• Create a new parish
• Alter the boundary of an existing parish
• Change the number of parish councillors
• Amend parish names or styles
• Group a number of parishes together to form a grouped parish council

Stroud District Council is required to ensure that community governance within the area under review will be reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area; and is effective and convenient.

In doing so, the Community Governance Review is required to take into account the impact of community governance arrangements on community cohesion; and the size, population and boundaries of a local community or parish.

Council leader Catherine Braun said: "The review is currently in the first stage and Stroud District Council welcomes all representations from any person or body who may wish to comment or make proposals on any of the areas under review."

All submissions received will be carefully reviewed and draft proposals for any changes will be published for a further period of consultation between March and April 2023.

Final recommendations will be prepared for approval by council in July 2023. Any changes will come into effect for the local council elections in May 2024.

Council deputy leader Natalie Bennett said. "This is just the first stage of the process to ensure everyone is represented better, so it's really important that residents living in these 11 towns and parishes have their say. There will be further consultation in March and April next year as well."

To have your say, visit the Stroud District Community Governance Online Survey at www.stroud.gov.uk/elections 

Email: your name, address and views to elections@stroud.gov.uk 

Call: 01453 754886

Write to: Community Governance Review, Electoral Services, Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf, Stroud, GL5 4UB.

A paper copy of the online survey is available on request.

Timeline for community governance review

31 October 2022 - 29 January 2023: Initial consultation period

1 March 2023: Draft Recommendations published

1 March 2023 - 26 April 2023: Phase 2 consultation of Draft Recommendations

July 2023: Full Council to consider Final Recommendations

May 2024: Any changes will come into effect for the local council elections