Agenda and draft minutes

None.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 30 July 2025.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

To receive a report on the 2025 Community Governance review following the conclusion of the second phase of consultation.

The Director: Policy & Governance presented the Community Governance Review (CGR) report which outlined the outcomes of the second phase of the consultation process and presented proposals for adoption, retention and further consideration.

At its meeting of 13 February 2025, the Committee agreed to the commencement of the Community Governance Review in accordance with the Local Government Act and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 in respect of the Town & Parish Council arrangements within Telford and Wrekin.

The Committee heard that the review had been conducted in two phases, with the first phase of the consultation process running from 17 February 2025 until 14 April 2025, inviting ideas and comments on future arrangements. A total of 292 responses were received, comprised of 219 completed surveys and 73 emails. In addition, a further 8 emails were received requesting additional information.

At its meeting on 12 May 2025, the Committee agreed the draft proposal to put out to consultation. The second phase of consultation ran from 19 May 2025 until 14 July 2025 and focused on specific proposals that had been considered by the Committee and were subject to further consultation in accordance with legislation. As part of the second phase, more than 1,300 responses had been received. These responses had previously been presented to the Committee at its meeting on 30 July 2025 and were detailed again within the report at Appendix A.

The Committee heard that in response to previous feedback received regarding the clarity and organisation of the responses at the last meeting, the collated responses had been reorganised in a different format and were now sorted into area based upon the proposed Town and Parish Council which had been put forward as part of the proposals set out in the second phase of the consultation. It was noted that some submissions had been included in multiple areas where comments were applicable and some submissions were categorised as ‘other’ where they could not be attributed to a specific area.

Appendix A of the report set out all consultation responses which had been received by the Council in relation to the Community Governance Review, including emails and attachments to emphasise the Council’s ongoing commitment to openness and transparency.

Appendix B set out the proposals that had been put forward during the second phase of the consultation process. Members heard that whilst there were no proposed changes to boundaries, there were changes to councillor numbers. For example, Muxton had increased from 5 councillors to 9 councillors, with Priorslee having a similar adjustment. For Wellington, although the number of councillors had remained unchanged, a recommendation was put forward to revise ward groupings to improve electoral equality.

Appendix C contained proposals that had been put forward for consultation following Committee consideration at the last meeting. These proposals largely related to retaining existing arrangements with specific examples including Chetwyn with 7 councillors, Edgmond and Ercall Magna with 13 councillors, Kynnersley with 5 councillors and Waters Upton with 6 councillors. It was highlighted that councillor numbers  ...  view the full minutes text for item BRC10