Community Governance Review - Heronsgate and Loudwater

What is a community governance review and what can it do?

A community governance review (CGR) is an opportunity to explore the arrangements for parish councils in the area. It can only be undertaken by a Principal Authority, which in a two-tier area is the district council.

A CGR can look at whether new parish councils should be created or disbanded, or whether the existing parish council arrangements should change. It can also agree any “consequential” matters, such as the number of parish councillors or whether assets should transfer between parishes.

In this case, the review will consider whether it is appropriate to parish some unparished areas. This will include whether to create new parish council(s) and/or alteration of parish boundaries and whether to change the parish electoral arrangements (the number of councillors to be elected to the council; the year when the ordinary election of parish councillors are held, whether the parish should be divided into wards etc). The potential outcomes of the review will be in accordance sections 87-92 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 Act.

Why are we doing the community governance review?

Chorleywood Parish Council formally requested that the district council consider this matter. Nevertheless, it is good practice for district councils to periodically look at parish boundaries. Over time, the natural boundaries that created parishes can change, and it may or may not be helpful to change the boundaries.

What stage is the review at now?

The review is currently at Stage 2 - Draft Recommendations Consultation.

Stage 1 of the review involved an initial consultation, which took place between September and December 2025, to gather views on whether changes to parish governance arrangements should be considered. Following consideration of the responses received, the Council has now published its draft recommendations and is seeking further comments before making a final decision.

The draft proposals include:

• Parishing the currently unparished areas of Heronsgate and Loudwater by adding them to Chorleywood Parish Council
• Increasing the number of councillors on Chorleywood Parish Council
• Changing the parish election cycle so that ordinary elections take place in 2027

No final decisions have been made at this stage. This consultation gives residents and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the draft proposals before final recommendations are considered.

How will this impact me?

If Three Rivers District Council decides to introduce a new parish council or make changes to existing parish arrangements, it could mean that those living in the currently unparished areas become part of a new or existing parish council.