FAQs
A “rural” east ward to include Berkswell village and Duggins Lane
A “rural” west ward to include Temple Balsall and Fen End, and
Splitting Balsall Common into two smaller wards (either North/South of Station Road or East/West of Kenilworth Road).
Creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes
The naming of parishes and the style of new parishes
The electoral arrangements for parishes (the ordinary year of election; council size; the number of councillors to be elected to the council and parish warding)
Grouping parishes under a common parish council or de-grouping parishes.
What are you consulting on?
Solihull Council has received a request from Balsall and Berkswell Parish Councils to conduct a Community Governance Review with a view of merging both parish councils into one single parish council.
In their request to merge, the parish councils have also suggested dividing the parish into four “wards”, for the purpose of electing councillors to ensure fair representation. The four suggested wards are:
What is a Community Governance Review?
A Community Governance Review (CGR) is a legal process the council uses to consider one or more of the following:
The purpose of a community governance review is to secure an arrangement which will improve community engagement, better local democracy and result in more effective and convenient delivery of local services. It must take account of the identities and interests of the community in that area and those arrangements for community representation and engagement already in place.
Why is Solihull Council undertaking this review?
Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (Part 4), we have the responsibility to undertake Community Governance Reviews and the power to decide whether to give effect to any recommendations made. To help inform this decision, we’d like to hear your views.
What does a Parish Council do?
Parish Councils are the most local form of government. They collect money from Council tax payers known as a “precept” and this is used to invest in the area to improve services or facilities.
Parish Councils can take different forms but usually are made up of local people who stand for election as Parish Councillors to represent their area. They can be the voice of the local community and work with other tiers of government and external organisations to co-ordinate and deliver services and work to improve the quality of life in the area.
Why has this request been made by Balsall and Berkswell Parish Councils?
In a joint letter from Balsall and Berkswell Parish Councils, they requested that we carry out a Community Governance Review with the view of merging both parish councils into one. They said that the villages within their boundaries are intrinsically linked, and the councils already work well together across a range of areas. Due to this connection, representatives from both councils are often involved on major issues such as new developments and consultation responses, resulting in a substantial amount of duplication of effort. They believe that merging the councils into one will result in a more efficient, streamlined and cost-effective governance structure. If you’d like to find out more, you can read the letter in full on our website.