RESIDENTS are being asked to have their say on a review to see if councillor numbers or parishes should be axed.

On September 21 the council’s Electoral Review Committee approved a new community governance review for parts of Wiltshire.

The areas where change is under-review are:

  • Beechingstoke, Marden, Patney, Woodborough, Stanton St Bernard, North Newnton, Wilsford
  • Calne Without, Calne, Heddington, Cherhill, Compton Bassett, Hilmarton and Bremhill
  • Malmesbury and St Paul Malmesbury Without.

The review will determine if new parishes are needed or if existing parishes should be merged into others, parish naming, the number of councillors for wards.

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Members of the Electoral Review Committee will oversee the survey and will make recommendations to full council for final approval.

The survey opened on November 15 and the council is hosting a number of online meetings for more information on the review.

Chairman of the committee, Ian Blair-Pilling said: “It’s important that local governance and the platform for decision-making is as strong, effective and efficient as possible, so that the needs of local communities are met.

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“I’d encourage everyone in the affected areas to engage with us and get involved in the local surveys and meetings so that their views and voices are heard as the process continues.

“More formal consultation will take place in the new year, but gathering people’s initial feedback over the coming weeks will help the committee understand the views of local residents and formulate options to best suit the communities.”