Community Governance Review 2026

Introduction

Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (‘the Act’), principal councils are responsible for undertaking Community Governance Reviews (CGRs) in their areas.

CGRs provide an opportunity for principal councils to assess parish governance arrangements to ensure that they remain fit-for-purpose – with strong, clearly defined boundaries which reflect local identities and interests; and councillor arrangements which facilitate effective and convenient local government.

The full text of the Act can be accessed under Useful links.

Councils are also required to have regard to guidance on undertaking community governance reviews, which has been published by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

The guidance can also be accessed under Useful links.

It is good practice for a CGR to be carried out every 10-15 years as well as in circumstances where there has been significant new housing development.  A CGR can also be sought by resolution of a parish council or by public petition.

The Current Review

The last full CGR of parish arrangements took place in 2021/22 following a period of some 20 years without a review.  The CGR outcomes took effect from the last full parish elections in 2023.

In recent months, the Council has received several requests/enquiries from parish councils for changes to parish arrangements.  Some relate to amendments to boundaries and others to councillor numbers, but all are primarily driven by the impact of new residential development in those areas (built/approved/projected) which has led to population changes and shifts in ‘natural settlements’.

This CGR provides the opportunity to review all parish arrangements to ensure that they remain fit-for-purpose, including (i) in light of development; (ii) ahead of the scheduled parish elections in May 2027; and (iii) ahead of the proposed Local Government Reorganisation in Gloucestershire.

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference for the 2026 CGR can be accessed by using the following links:

Community Governance Review – Terms of Reference

Annex A to Terms of Reference for Community Governance Review 2026

The Terms of Reference set out what can be considered as part of the CGR and the factors against which proposals will be assessed.

It is important to note that the CGR cannot consider borough or county council boundaries or governance arrangements or borough ward or county council division boundaries (unless these arise directly out of parish boundary changes).

The supporting Annex to the Terms of Reference includes electorate forecasts (which must be taken in to account when considering electoral arrangements) together with details of the present structures within parishes and their electoral arrangements (to assist with the formulation of proposals).

The whole of the Tewkesbury Borough area is covered by this CGR.

Parish Map

A map showing the existing parish boundaries (and parish ward boundaries where applicable) can be viewed below.

This may help if you wish to consider promoting possible parish boundary changes. Please remember that it would be helpful for any boundary change proposal to be accompanied by a plan which identifies the area in question.

Notice of Review

The formal Notice of Review can be accessed by using the following link:

Notice of Community Governance Review 2026

Review Timetable

The current CGR timetable is as follows:

Consultation

There are formal consultation requirements that have to be met/followed.

As part of the initial stages of the CGR, and again before making any recommendations and/or publishing final proposals, a full consultation will be undertaken involving:

• local government electors within the Borough;
• any other person or body which appears to the Council to have an interest in the CGR – this will include all parish/town councils/meetings; any other community or resident groups of which the Council is aware; the Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils; Borough Councillors; the County Councillors who represent divisions in the borough area; Gloucestershire County Council; and the MPs who represent constituencies that form part of the borough area

The initial consultation period runs from 6 May 2026 until 26 June 2026.

After the initial consultation period ends, the Council’s Executive Committee will consider all in-scope submissions made and approve draft recommendations for further consultation.

Representations

Representations are invited during the specified consultation stages as set out in the timetable from any person or body who may wish to comment or make proposals on any aspect of the matters included within the CGR.

Representations may be made in the following ways:

• Online – by using the online submission form.
• By Email – send to: elections@tewkesbury.gov.uk
• By post or hand delivery – post/deliver to:Electoral Services (CGR)Tewkesbury Borough CouncilCouncil OfficesGloucester RoadTewkesburyGlosGL20 5TT

Privacy and your submission

All submissions to the CGR will be published.  However, no personal details will be included in the published documents.

Representations by individuals will be anonymised before publication. Published representations made on behalf of an organisation or group will include the name and address of that organisation or group but not the name of the individual.

The full CGR Privacy Notice can be found at Privacy notices – Tewkesbury Borough Council.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the CGR, if you would like information in another format or would like support to respond please contact the Council’s Electoral Services Team:

• by email at elections@tewkesbury.gov.uk
• by telephone on 01684 272025.