Current Reviews
There are currently no community governance reviews being undertaken.
Previous Reviews
Community Governance Review for the Parish of Little Ponton and Stroxton
South Kesteven District Council carried out a Community Governance Review to consider the electoral arrangements for the Parish of Little Ponton and Stroxton. Details of the review and the decision notice can be found here: Community Governance Review for the Parish of Little Ponton and Stroxton .
Community Governance Review for Grantham
South Kesteven District Council at it's meeting on 30th September 2021 agreed to carry out a Community Governance Review to consider if a town or parish council should be formed for Grantham.
Full Council considered the final proposals to create a new Parish Council for Grantham at it's meeting held on 23 November 2023. The proposal to create a new Parish Council for Grantham was approved. Elections to the new Grantham Parish Council will be held on 2 May 2024. Full details of the Community Governance Review can be viewed here: Community Governance Review for Grantham
What are Community Governance Reviews?
A Community Governance Review is a review of the whole or part of a district to consider one or more of the following:
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creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes
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the naming of parishes, and the styles of new parishes
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grouping parishes under a common Parish Council
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the electoral arrangements for parishes (the ordinary year of elections, council size, the number of councillors to be elected to the council, and parish warding).
Since 2008, district councils, unitary county councils and London borough councils (principal councils) have had responsibility for undertaking community governance reviews and have been able to decide whether to give effect to recommendations made in those reviews. In making that decision, they will need to take account of the views of local people.
Why undertake a community governance review?
A community governance review can be undertaken in response to demographic changes such as a rise in population, for example as a result of significant new housing development.
A review can also be triggered in a petition is presented to the principal council asking for a review to be undertaken, the 2007 Act places a duty on principal councils to respond to such a petition. Sections 39-43 of the Act set out prescriptive criteria, which the petition must meet in order to be legally valid.
The objective of undertaking a community governance review is to ensure that local governance will continue to be effective and convenient and will reflect the identities and interests of local communities.
Terms of Reference for community governance reviews
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 community governance reviews?
As the principal authority, South Kesteven District Council is responsible for undertaking any community governance review within its electoral area.
Guidance and legislation
Guidance on Community Governance Reviews 2010 published by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Local Government & Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 - Part 4, Chapter 3
Local Government (Parishes and Parish Councils) (England) Regulations 2008
Local Government Finance (New Parishes) (England) Regulations 2008
The Legislative Reform (Community Governance Reviews) Order 2015
Previous Reviews
Previous community governance reviews are listed below:
Community Governance Review 2018 - Corby Glen Parish - increase of number of members from seven to nine.
Contact details:
Elections team: 01476 406080, ask for elections
email: elections@southkesteven.gov.uk