Community Governance Review in the Vale of White Horse 2026
Feedback updated 23 Jun 2026
We asked
Residents of some parishes in the Vale of White Horse to provide their views on potential changes to community governance in their areas, including changes to parish boundaries. The proposals outlined in this consultation formed part of the 2026 Community Governance Review (CGR) for the Vale of White Horse.
You said
We received 401 responses for this consultation, of which 98 per cent by members of the public.
Most respondents agreed with the following proposals:
- To amend the boundary between Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor parish (KBS) and Tubney and Fyfield parish to include a new residential development of 650 dwellings within KBS parish.
- To create a joint council by grouping together the parishes of Appleton with Eaton and Besselsleigh.
Most respondents disagreed with the proposal to amend the boundaries between Kennington parish and Radley parish to include the housing developments north of Sugworth Lane within Kennington parish.
We did
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. A second round of consultation on the final proposals launched on Thursday 11 June 2026.
Overview
Vale of White Horse District Council is seeking your views on potential changes for some parishes, including their boundaries. The proposals outlined in this consultation form part of the 2026 Community Governance Review (CGR) for the Vale of White Horse.
If the proposed changes are adopted, they will become effective in time for the May 2027 elections.
As part of the 2026 CGR we would like to hear your thoughts on the following proposals:
A) Requests for a boundary change
Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor and Fyfield and Tubney Parish Councils - review the boundary to consider including a new housing development currently in Fyfield and Tubney parish within Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor parish.
Kennington and Radley Parish Councils - review the parish boundary to consider including housing north of Sugworth Lane, which is currently in Radley parish, within Kennington parish.
B) Requests for alternative governance arrangements
Appleton with Eaton Parish Council and Besselsleigh Parish Meeting - review the option of grouping the parishes under one parish council.
You will have the opportunity to comment on as many of the proposed changes as you wish. You can provide your feedback until 11.59pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.
Watch this short video to learn about this consultation.
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.
What happens next?
Once the survey 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, which will consider the responses and then put forward draft proposals for further consultation later this year.
Following a second consultation, the Committee will consider responses and agree whether or not to implement the proposed changes. We expect to carry out the second consultation in the summer of 2026, with the Committee meeting shortly afterwards to make their decisions. 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.
Areas
- All Areas
Audiences
- General Public
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