Community Governance Review 2025/26 - FAQs on final recommendations

What is a Community Governance Review?

A Community Governance Review (CGR) is a legal process that gives residents, community groups and other organisations the opportunity to have their say on how local communities are represented. It can consider whether new town or parish councils should be created, whether existing parish boundaries should change and whether current arrangements continue to reflect local communities.

Why has Cheltenham Borough Council undertaken this review?

Cheltenham Borough Council is carrying out this review to ensure local governance arrangements continue to reflect community identities and support local representation. The review is also intended to help maintain and strengthen community engagement, local democracy, civic pride and the delivery of local services as local government structures evolve.

What is a Town Council and what will it do?

A Town Council is the most local level of elected government. It represents the interests of local communities and provides a local democratic voice. The proposed Cheltenham Town Council will help ensure residents continue to have strong local representation and community influence in decision-making.

What areas will be covered by the proposed Cheltenham Town Council?

The Cheltenham Town Council will cover areas of the borough that are not currently served by an existing parish council. It will bring local representation to communities that are currently unparished.

How many councillors will the new Town Council have?

The Cheltenham Spa Town Council will consist of 25 elected town councillors representing 15 wards across the town council area.

What changes are proposed for existing parish councils?

A brief summary of the changes is included in the table below, detailed information regarding the recommendations can be found in the report.

View the report and appendicies for full details of the final recommendations and maps

Following debate, council agreed to make some changes to the recommendations in the report to improve representation in Leckhampton Parish by renaming the proposed extended Leckhampton Undercliff ward as Pilley ward and reallocating the number of parish councillors across the parishes. Council also agreed that the name of the new Town Council should be Cheltenham Spa Town Council.

Parish council changes and new town council information
Parish	Final recommendations
Swindon	Changes are made to boundaries as shown on Map 1 at Appendix (i) The number of parish councillors to remain unchanged (9).
Prestbury	Changes are made to boundaries as shown on Map 2 at Appendix (i) No change to the number of parish councillors (15)
Charlton Kings	No Change to boundaries or to the current number of parish councillors (17)
Leckhampton with Warden Hill	Changes are made to boundaries as shown on Map 3 at Appendix (i) The name of the parish should not be altered The parish ward of Leckhampton Undercliff is replaced with Pilley Parish ward No change to the number of parish councillors (18) Warding arrangements are redrawn for the four wards, Pilley, Leckhampton Mead, Leckhampton Village and Warden Hill and the allocation of councillors is redistributed across the wards
Up Hatherley	Changes are made to the boundaries as shown on Map 6 of Appendix (i) The name of the parish to be changed to Up Hatherley, with Benhall and The Reddings The parish council shall consist of 16 councillors Warding arrangements are redrawn to create three wards, Benhall and The Reddings, Up Hatherley West and Up Hatherley East and the allocation of councillors is redistributed across the wards
New Town Council	To create a new Town Council as shown on map 5 at Appendix (i) with a total of 26 councillors The Town Council to be divided into 15 wards, All Saints, Oakley, Battledown, Fiddlers Green, Charlton Park, College, Hester’s Way, Springbank, Lansdown, Park, Pittville, St Paul’s, St Mark’s, St Peter’s and Swindon Village. The Town Council to be named Cheltenham Spa Town Council

How will the Town Council be funded?

The Town Council will be funded through a town council precept, which forms part of council tax bills in the same way as existing parish councils. Detailed financial arrangements, including establishment costs and future precept levels, have not yet been determined and will be considered as part of future implementation planning.

When will the changes take effect if approved?

The new arrangements will take effect from 1 April 2028, with electoral arrangements coming into force at the local elections in 2028.

What is a Shadow Town Council and why is one being created?

A Shadow Town Council is being established ahead of the creation of the new Town Council to help oversee planning and implementation. This will ensure the new Town Council is prepared to begin operating effectively when it is formally established in 2028.

Is this linked to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)?

Yes. The review has taken place alongside discussions about Local Government Reorganisation and how local communities can continue to have a strong voice within future local government structures. However, the review also considers how local democracy and community representation can be strengthened regardless of future changes.

Why is the council progressing these proposals while Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is under review?

While the Government reviews the future direction of Local Government Reorganisation, the council believes it remains important to consider how local communities are represented and engaged. The recommendations are intended to strengthen local democracy, community engagement and accountability regardless of the eventual outcome of government decisions on local government structures.

Which services could transfer to the Town Council in the future?

Further work will be undertaken by the Shadow Town Council to consider the responsibilities, services, assets and resources that may be appropriate for the Town Council.

Will residents notice any immediate changes to council services?

No. Council services will continue as normal. Any future changes will be planned carefully and communicated well in advance.

What are the next steps following council approval?

A Shadow Town Council will now be established to help prepare for the creation of the new Cheltenham Spa Town Council. This will oversee the planning needed to introduce the new arrangements ahead of the Town Council becoming operational in 2028. Residents and stakeholders will be kept informed as this work progresses.