Community Governance Review - Welford-on-Avon Parish Council

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has approved the Terms of Reference for a Community Governance Review (CGR) of Welford-on-Avon Parish Council. The review will consider the number of parish councillors serving the Parish Council ahead of the next ordinary parish council elections in 2027.

Please click here to view the Terms of Reference.

What is a Community Governance Review?

A Community Governance Review (CGR) is a legal process that allows Stratford-on-Avon District Council to review and, where appropriate, change local parish governance arrangements, including:

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

The Council must ensure that community governance reflects the identities and interests of the local community and that arrangements are 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?

Welford-on-Avon Parish Council currently comprises seven parish councillors and has asked Stratford-on-Avon District Council to review whether this should be increased to nine parish councillors.

This request follows guidance issued by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), which suggests that parish councils serving between 1,401 and 2,000 electors should typically have nine councillors. Welford-on-Avon currently has an electorate of 1,546 electors.

Current and proposed representation:

• Current arrangement: 7 councillors representing 1,546 electors (approximately 221 electors per councillor)
• Proposed arrangement: 9 councillors representing 1,546 electors (approximately 172 electors per councillor)

The Parish Council considers that increasing the number of councillors would support effective local representation and align with national guidance.

What has been agreed so far?

• Draft Terms of Reference were considered by the Audit and Standards Committee on 21 September 2026.
• The Terms of Reference were approved by Full Council on 12 October 2026.

This approval allows the public consultation stage to begin.

Consultation details

Consultation Period:

• Starts: 15 October 2026
• Ends: 27 November 2026

All representations received during the consultation period will be considered by Full Council before a final decision is made on 14 December 2026.

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.