Poulton with Fearnhead Parish Council and Winwick Parish Council Community Governance Review

A community governance review is carried out to consider arrangements for parish councils such as creating, merging, altering or abolishing parish councils, changing a parish council’s boundary or the naming of parish councils and their electoral arrangements.

Why are we proposing a community governance review?

The review is being carried out in response to requests from the Poulton with Fearnhead Parish Council and Winwick Parish Council to review the parish ward boundaries and the electoral arrangements.

We are therefore conducting a community governance review of Poulton with Fearnhead Parish Council and Winwick Parish Council. We will consider whether the existing arrangements are reflective of the identities and interests of the communities in those areas. We will also look at whether they are effective and convenient to the local community.

The review will take into account the size, population and boundaries of the parishes. The review does not automatically mean there are changes, but we are seeking views from stakeholders to inform future decisions related to the petition.

• 23 March 2023: commencement of review 
• 21 April 2023: initial consultation stage closes
• 9 May-12 June 2023: draft recommendations prepared
• 29 June 2023: draft recommendations published
• 29 June 2023: consultation on draft recommendations
• September 2023: final proposals prepared

Final proposals will then be considered by the audit and corporate governance committee, with recommendations put to Full Council for approval.

Information about the review

We received a request from Poulton with Fearnhead Parish Council to review its parish ward boundaries and electoral arrangements under the 2007 Act, to more accurately reflect the communities within the area.

The request is that:

"Houghton Green Ward (polling districts NTE and NTE/1) to be removed from the Winwick Parish Council area and placed into Poulton with Fearnhead Parish Council area. Longbarn, Fearnhead and Cinnamon Brow Ward to be split and polling districts NTA, NTE and NTE/1 to become Cinnamon Brow Ward Polling Districts NTB, NTC, NTC/1 and NTD to become Fearnhead and Longbarn Ward”

Read more in the terms of reference

Corresponding maps

The maps show the proposed boundary area changes.

How can I take part in the review?

Alternatively:

• Email comments to elections@warrington.gov.uk
• Write to Electoral Services, Warrington Borough Council, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1UH
• Call 01925 442184

The deadline for any representations to be received is Friday 21 April

Who can take part in the review?

Only stakeholders and residents who live within the Fearnhead with Poulton and Winwick Parish Council boundary areas can take part in the consultation. As part of completing the survey, and equally if you respond by email, we will need to verify your postcode to ensure that you are within the boundary area.

Will my response by published?

Yes - but personal information will be redacted.