What do you think of your town council? Are there too many/too few councillors? Should the town council be merged with another? Do you feel heard and understood by your town council? Are decisions taken openly and with transparency? Should the town council be closed down? Is it good value for money?
Residents and others who work or have a connection with Northumberland are invited to give their views in a county-wide public consultation until 30 April.
This is part of the Community Governance Review (CGR) being carried out by Northumberland County Council (Northumberland County Council).
The Review is aimed at ensuring that electoral arrangements for the 162 town and parish councils in the county are ‘appropriate, equitable and understood’.
‘Whether you live, work, or have an interest in one of the areas,’ says an NCC spokesperson, ‘your opinion is important and will help shape future proposals.’
Potential outcomes to the survey :
- The creation or dissolution of a Parish/Town Council
- Separating or altering the boundaries of an existing Parish/Town Council
- The name of a Parish/ Town Council
- Changes to the electoral arrangements (e.g. changing the number of councillors)
- Ungrouping or grouping parishes under a Common Parish Council
Any agreed changes will be implemented in time for the next scheduled local elections in May 2029.
‘We have a cross-party task and finish (temporary and focused) working group of 10 members, appointed by the Group Leaders with a Chair,’ NCC explained. ‘They will consider the representations received and produce both draft and final recommendations for each parish.’
Paper copies are available from