Community Governance Review

Cirencester Town Council has formally requested a community governance review (CGR) of local ward boundaries.

A CGR can consider creating, merging, altering, or abolishing parishes; changing the name of a parish; reviewing electoral arrangements (e.g. number of councillors, warding); grouping or de-grouping parishes under a common council; and change the status of a parish (e.g. from council to meeting) to reflect local circumstances.

Cirencester Town Council has asked if a review can be undertaken for residential areas off of Siddington Road, north of and including Spire View, Swinford Close, Bluebell Drive, the Glade and The Green, these are currently in the parish of Siddington but the Council feels they should be included within the Watermoor Ward, alongside nearby residential areas which include Bridge Road and Rose Way.

With the proposed development of 280 dwellings on land west of Kingshill Lane being approved by Cotswold District Council, a development which falls within the parish boundary but disconnected from the parish of Preston, the Town Council believes it is appropriate that a community governance review be undertaken for the Cirencester boundary within the New Mills ward to be extended.

There is a definitive link with the town and as such this area, should fall within the parish boundary of Cirencester so that governance arrangements are aligned more appropriately. The Town Council had previously recognised the importance of a green/rural buffer zone being maintained between Cirencester and Preston so that it’s rural integrity and village identity could be protected.

In addition, in light of the District Council’s town centre masterplan preparations, the Council has asked for the town centre ward boundaries to be considered too.