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Community governance arrangements

What is a Community Governance Review?

A Community Governance Review is a review of the whole or part of an area to consider one or more of the following:

Why undertake a Community Governance Review?

A community governance review provides an opportunity for principal authorities to review and make changes to community governance within their area as determined under part 4 of the local government and public Involvement in Health Act 2007.  Such reviews can be undertaken in response to demographic changes such as a rise in population as a result of significant new housing development or can be prompted through the presentation of a petition to the principal council. 

The full text of the 2007 Act can be accessed at: Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007

Regardless of the trigger, the objective of any review is to ensure that local governance continues to be effective and convenient and that it reflects the identities and interests of local communities.  The recommendations arising from any community governance review should deliver improved community engagement, more cohesive communities, better local democracy and result in more efficient delivery of local services.  Government guidance suggests that it is good practice to conduct a full community governance review at least every 10 to 15 years and to keep the area under review in the interim

Government guidance suggests that it is good practice to conduct a full Community governance review at least every 10 to 15 years and to keep the area under review in the interim.

Terms of Reference for a Community Governance Review

The 2007 Act requires principal councils to determine and publish the terms of reference under which a community governance review is to be undertaken.  It also requires that the terms of reference specify the area under review.  If any modifications are made to the terms of reference, these must also be published.

Who undertakes a Community Governance Reviews?

As the principal authority, Cheshire West and Chester Council is responsible for undertaking any community governance review within its electoral area.

So how does the process work in practice at Cheshire West and Chester Council?

Following a scrutiny review of our relationship with local (i.e. town and parish councils) across the borough, we have agreed to undertake a review of community governance arrangements across the whole of the borough before the next elections in May 2015.  This will explore all forms of community governance, from formal arrangements such as town and parish councils through to more informal mechanisms such as community forums, tenant management organisations and residents’ associations. 

As a result, we have set up a new sub-committee of the council - the community governance review committee – to take forward this work.  The main purpose of the committee is to oversee the review process and make recommendations to the Council on the outcomes of each community governance review.  In deciding what recommendations to make, the committee must ensure that community governance reflects the identities and interests of the community in that area and that it is effective and convenient.  The recommendations must also take account of expressions of local opinion on the matters considered by the review as well as representations made by local people and other interested persons.  Council is then required to approve the final recommendations before any community governance order effecting the creation or amendment of any formal arrangements (i.e. the creation, grouping, degrouping or abolition of a town or parish council) is made.

The full terms of reference, agendas and minutes of meetings of the Committee can be accessed here

Current Community Governance Reviews

The borough-wide review is being taken forward through a programme of individual Community Governance Reviews. 

The following Community Governance Reviews are currently underway:

Ashton Hayes, Alvanley, Manley, Mouldsworth, Barrow, Dunham Hill, Hapsford and Horton-Cum-Peel

Little Stanney, Croughton, Stoak, Wervin, Thornton-le-Moors, Elton and Ince

Littleton, Christleton, Rowton, Waverton, Cotton Abbotts and Cotton Edmunds

Tarvin, Prior's Heys, Duddon, Burton, Bruen Stapleford and Hockenhull

Kelsall, Delamere, Oakmere, Utkinton and Willingon

Frodsham, Helsby, Kingsley, Sutton, Aston, Norley and Crowton

Phase One Summary Responses

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