Community Governance Review in the Vale of White Horse 2026 - Final Consultation on Proposed Changes
Overview
Earlier this year we asked for your views on potential changes for some parishes in the Vale of White Horse, including their boundaries. The proposed changes formed part of the 2026 Community Governance Review (CGR) for the Vale of White Horse.
After the consultation closed, the Community Governance and Electoral Issues Commitee (the Committee) reviewed the feedback received and made final recommendations on which proposal(s) should be taken to a second round of consultation, and which should not be considered any further.
We are now seeking your views on the following, finalised proposals:
A) Recommendation for a boundary change
Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor and Fyfield and Tubney Parish Councils - to amend the boundary to include a new housing development currently in Fyfield and Tubney parish (Ferris Green) within Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor parish.
B) Recommendation for alternative governance arrangements
Appleton with Eaton Parish Council and Besselsleigh Parish Meeting - to group both parishes under one parish council called 'Appleton with Eaton and Besselsleigh Parish Council'. Further information on this proposal is provided in the survey.
If these recommendations are approved by the Committee, the intention is that they would come into effect in time for the May 2027 elections.
You will have the opportunity to comment on as many of the proposed changes as you wish. Please provide your feedback by 11.59pm on Thursday 23 July 2026.
Watch this short video to learn about this consultation (will add link if video available).
Why is the Council undertaking the review?
District councils are responsible for reviewing parish arrangements and implementing any appropriate changes with the aim to improve local democracy and service delivery.
The guidance on community governance reviews (CGRs) issued by the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England in March 2010 states that it is good practice for principal councils (in this context that means this council) to undertake CGRs every 10-15 years. The council completed a review of the whole district in 2014. Reviews were subsequently undertaken and changes were implemented at the scheduled elections in May 2015, May 2019 and May 2023. Any changes agreed as part of this review will be implemented for the elections in May 2027.
The council’s Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee considered three requests at its meeting on 12 March 2026 and agreed to review those matters set out under proposals for consideration.
Reviews can consider:
- altering the existing boundary of a parish
- creating, merging or abolishing parishes
- changing the name of existing parishes
- the electoral arrangements for parishes (e.g. how many councillors are required and parish warding)
- grouping parishes under a common parish council, or de-grouping parishes.
Proposal that will not be taken forward following the results of the initial consultation
Kennington and Radley parishes: proposal to review the boundary between Kennington Parish Council and Radley Parish Council to include the housing developments north of Sugworth Lane within Kennington parish.
Following the results of the first round of consultation, this proposal will not be taken forward.
What happens next?
Once the consultation closes, we will collate all feedback received and produce a summary report. The report will be presented to the council's Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee on 1 October 2026. The Committee will consider the responses and decide whether to adopt the proposed changes to community governance.
We are aiming to implement any changes agreed so that they can be applied in time for the May 2027 elections. More information is available on our website: whitehorsedc.gov.uk/community-governance-review.
Personal details
If you are responding as an individual/member of the public, you are not required to provide your name or contact details.
If you are responding on behalf of a business/organisation or neighbouring local authority, we will ask for its name and this information may be published. Any personal information you provide to the council within your comments that could identify you will not be published. Further information on data protection is available in our privacy policy.
Community Governance Review in Vale of White Horse 2026 - Final Consultation
Areas
- All Areas
Audiences
- General Public
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook