Community Governance Review - The Wolfords Joint Parish Council

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has approved the Terms of Reference for a Community Governance Review (CGR) of The Wolfords Joint Parish Council at a meeting of Full Council on 20 April 2026.

Please click here to view the Terms of Reference.

The review will consider the current warding arrangements, specifically representation for Little Wolford Ward, ahead of the next ordinary parish council elections in 2027.

What is a Community Governance Review?

A Community Governance Review is a legal process that allows the District Council to review and, where appropriate, change parish council arrangements, including:

• The number of parish councillors
• Parish warding arrangements
• Electoral equality and representation

The Council must ensure community governance reflects local identities and interests and is effective and convenient. The review is carried out under Part 4 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

Why is this review being carried out?

The Wolfords Joint Parish Council was created on 4 May 2023 to govern the parishes of Great Wolford and Little Wolford.

Current representation:

• Great Wolford Ward – 4 councillors
• Little Wolford Ward – 1 councillor

Using the January 2026 electoral register, this arrangement results in an imbalance of electors per councillor. The Parish Council has therefore requested a review to consider increasing Little Wolford Ward to two councillors to achieve fairer and more proportionate representation.

What has been agreed so far?

• The draft Terms of Reference were considered by the Audit and Standards Committee on 23 March 2026 and referred to Full Council for ratification.
• Full Council approved the Terms of Reference on 20 April 2026

This approval allows the public consultation stage to begin.

Consultation details

Consultation period:

• Starts: Thursday 7 May 2026
• Ends: Friday 12 June 2026

All representations received will be considered by Full Council on 13 July, at which point a final decision will be made.

How to have your say

Comments can be submitted by:

Email: CGR@stratford-dc.gov.uk

Post:

Electoral Services Team

Stratford-on-Avon District Council

Elizabeth House

Church Street

Stratford-upon-Avon

CV37 6HX

Information will be published on the District Council and Parish Council websites and noticeboards.