Community Governance Review - Heronsgate and Loudwater
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Community Governance Review
Community Governance Review
A Community Governance Review provides an opportunity to review and make changes to governance arrangements for town and parish councils.
Overview
A Community Governance Review is a process which provides an opportunity to review, create and make changes to governance arrangements for town and parish councils and parish areas.
Why are we doing the community governance review at what stage is the review at
Chorleywood Parish Council formally requested that the District Council consider this matter. Nevertheless, it is good practice for District Councils to periodically look at parish boundaries. Over time, the natural boundaries that created parishes can change, and it may or may not be helpful to change the boundaries.
What stage is the review at now?
The review is currently at Stage 2 - Draft Recommendations Consultation.
Stage 1 of the review involved an initial consultation, which took place between September and December 2025, to gather views on whether changes to parish governance arrangements should be considered. Following consideration of the responses received, the Council has now published its draft recommendations and is seeking further comments before making a final decision.
The draft proposals include:
- Parishing the currently unparished areas of Heronsgate and Loudwater by adding them to Chorleywood Parish Council
- Increasing the number of councillors on Chorleywood Parish Council
- Changing the parish election cycle so that ordinary elections take place in 2027
No final decisions have been made at this stage. This consultation gives residents and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the draft proposals before final recommendations are considered.
| Policy & Resources Committee agree CGR and terms of reference | 08 September |
| Consultation begins | 09 September 2025 |
| Consultation ends | 08 December 2025 |
| Policy & Resources Committee agree draft proposals | 13 January 2026 (Proposed Extraordinary) |
| Consultation on draft proposals begin (if required) | 15 January 2026 |
| Consultation on draft proposals ends | 26 February 2026 |
| Final proposals considered by Policy & Resources Committee | 09 March 2026 |
| Final proposals agreed by Council | At Extraordinary Meeting in March |
| Reorganisation order made (including any consequential matters) | TBC |
| New boundaries come into effect | 1 April 2026 |
| First elections based on new boundaries | 6 May 2027 |
What the review can and cannot change
The review may consider the following options:
· Creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes
· The naming of parishes and the style of new parishes including the potential creation of town and parish councils
· The electoral arrangements for parishes. For instance, the ordinary year of elections; council size; the number of councillors to be elected to the council and parish warding
· Grouping parishes under a common parish council or de-grouping parishes
· Other types of local arrangements including parish meetings
The review cannot:
· Change the number of councillors on Three Rivers District Council
· Influence or change the amount of money that an existing parish or town council raises through Council Tax known as precept/
How the review will be carried out
When assessing any suggestions from interested parties, we are required to take into the:
· Impact of the community governance arrangements on community cohesion
· Size, population and boundaries of a local community or parish suggestion
We also need to ensure that community governance within the area under review will be:
· Reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area
· Effective and convenient
Any other factors, such as potential Council Tax precept levels, cannot be considered.
How can I have my say
What stage is the review at now?
The review is currently at Stage 2 - Draft Recommendations Consultation. and will be open from 15 January 2026 on the council's Have Your Say Website until 26 February 2026 You can also e-mail enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk (please put CGR in the subject line of the e-mail) or writing to Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1RL.
Stage 1 of the review involved an initial consultation, which took place between September and December 2025, to gather views on whether changes to parish governance arrangements should be considered. Following consideration of the responses received, the Council has now published its draft recommendations and is seeking further comments before making a final decision.
The draft proposals include:
- Parishing the currently unparished areas of Heronsgate and Loudwater by adding them to Chorleywood Parish Council
- Increasing the number of councillors on Chorleywood Parish Council
- Changing the parish election cycle so that ordinary elections take place in 2027
No final decisions have been made at this stage. This consultation gives residents and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the draft proposals before final recommendations are considered.
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Three Rivers District Council
Three Rivers House
Northway
Rickmansworth
Herts WD3 1RL
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