Changing parish boundaries

Community Governance Reviews

Parish boundaries can be changed through a Community Governance Review (CGR). These reviews are carried out by either a London Borough, district or unitary council. Local people can also formally petition their council to ask for a review. 

Through a CGR, a council can: 

• Create or abolish parishes
• Change parish boundaries
• Change the number of councillors elected to a parish
• Change the name of a parish
• Group parishes together under one parish council or separate them 
   

When we become involved

Requests for consent

If a council wants to change the electoral arrangements for a parish that was included in an Electoral Changes Order within the last five years, as result of a recent electoral review, the council must ask us for permission before making any changes. This is called a request for consent. The council must provide the Commission with details of the proposal, evidence of consultation with local residents, the outcome of that consultation, and current and five‑year forecast elector figures. 

Councils can use this document when submitting a request for consent to us: 

Requests for a related alteration

If parish boundaries change through a CGR, a council may want ward or division boundaries to change too, so they align. To do this, the council can ask the Commission to make a related alteration. 

To consider a related alteration, the Commission requires the Community Governance Order, maps showing the changes, details of areas moved, elector numbers now and in five years’ time, and evidence of consultation. Once these are received, the Commission decides whether the boundary changes should be made. 

Councils can use this document when submitting a request for a related alteration to us:

Detailed guidance on community governance reviews

The Commission and the Government have produced guidance that explains how Community Governance Reviews should be carried out. It covers what councils must do, how they should consult local people, and what evidence they need to collect. You can view or download this guidance using the below link:

Community Governance Reviews are carried out under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. This law sets out what councils can change, how they must consult residents, and how decisions are formally made. A link to the legislation is below: