Background

Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) is moving into a period of change, with central government asking councils to think about how they can work with other local councils. CBC and other district councils in Gloucestershire need to consider how they can form a new ‘unitary’ council where the county and district/borough/city councils would all be replaced and a new unitary council or councils would deliver all the services. To find out more about this Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), please visit our devolution and local government reorganisation information page.

In light of these changes, we want to make sure we keep and improve community engagement and cohesion; local democracy; and the delivery of effective local services. This Community Governance Review (CGR) will help us to do this. A CGR is a legal process that gives residents and organisations the chance to share their views on the most suitable ways of representing the people at a community level.

The main purpose of this review is to understand whether there is support for setting up any new town or parish councils in the borough (or in Cheltenham borough) or whether any of the existing parish councils of Charlton Kings, Leckhampton with Warden Hill, Prestbury, Swindon Village or Up Hatherley wish to amend their existing boundaries.

We will take into account any other recommendations or representations that we receive as part of the review which fit with the parameters of a community governance review, as set out below.

This is your chance to have a say on how local governance reflects your community’s identity and needs, and whether any changes are needed to improve local services. This review looks at how your community is represented by town or parish councils. It's about making sure the structure and boundaries of councils work for you. Your feedback will help us shape recommendations for possible changes.

This survey is the first stage of the review, which all households and interested parties are being asked to respond to. Cheltenham Borough Council will also identify any other person or body who we think may have an interest in the review and we will write to them inviting them to submit their views at both stages of consultation. This may include:

  • Ward members
  • Parish council members
  • Gloucestershire County Council
  • Groups and societies
  • Schools and colleges
  • Members of Parliament
  • Local political parties
  • The police
  • Local charities and voluntary organisations
  • Residents’ associations

There will be a second consultation towards the end of 2025, where you will have another opportunity to share your views before any final decisions are made.

Visit our timeline page for more information about the stages of this review.