The Electoral Review Committee was scheduled to consider a comprehensive Community Governance Review, examining potential changes to parish boundaries, names, and governance structures across several areas of Wiltshire. The committee was also scheduled to review the minutes of its previous meeting.

Community Governance Review 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to consider a detailed report on the Community Governance Review 2026/27. This review, which can adjust parish governance arrangements including councillor numbers, ward boundaries, and external boundaries, was initiated following requests from parishes and in line with government guidance recommending periodic reviews. The review encompassed parishes within the Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade, Devizes, and Marlborough Area Boards.

The report outlined proposals and representations received from various parishes. In the Southern Wiltshire area, specific consideration was scheduled for Laverstock & Ford and Idmiston, where warding arrangements imposed in 2021 had been opposed. Idmiston Parish Council requested to be unwarded and have its councillor numbers reduced. Laverstock & Ford, which comprises three wards across two Wiltshire Council Divisions, was also under review, with a pre-consultation survey conducted on a potential amended warding to combine Ford and Laverstock. Coombe Bissett Parish Council submitted a request to adjust its boundary with Britford to include properties with closer connections to Homington, and also requested a name change to Coombe Bissett and Homington. Alderbury Parish Council proposed a transfer of a small area from Clarendon Park to their parish. Allington Parish Council requested a formal name change to Allington with Boscombe.

In South West Wiltshire, Wilton Town Council suggested including a small area of Burcombe Without within their town, a proposal objected to by Burcombe Without Parish Council. Bowerchalke Parish Council identified properties within Broad Chalke that they considered more appropriately part of their community. The report also highlighted the status of several Parish Meetings in the area, including Alvediston, Berwick St Leonard, Chicklade, Compton Chamberlayne, Fonthill Bishop, and Stratford Tony, noting that some had not provided responses and raising questions about their activity and the potential for grouping or merger arrangements. Netherhampton, Stratford Tony, and Coombe Bissett were also noted for a shared area at Salisbury Racecourse.

For the Stonehenge Area Board, Shrewton Parish Council requested a transfer of properties from Orcheston and a full merger of the two parishes, while Orcheston Parish Council opposed this. Shrewton Parish Council also proposed a boundary change with Winterbourne Stoke. Stapleford Parish Council raised the prospect of merging with Berwick St James, which operates as a parish meeting. Durrington Town Council requested amendments to its warding numbers, reducing Larkhill ward and increasing Durrington ward. The report also noted a potential boundary issue between Durrington and Figheldean.

The report detailed the statutory criteria for Community Governance Reviews, which require arrangements to reflect community identity and interests and ensure effective and convenient local governance. It also outlined guidance on electorate forecasting and the role of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE). The committee was scheduled to make provisional draft recommendations for public consultation.

The report pack included extensive information sheets for each area board, detailing parish electorates, projected electorates, and council tax precepts. It also contained maps of the parishes and summaries of responses received from parish councils and meetings regarding the review.