The Democracy and Standards Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Monday 20 July 2026 to discuss its workplan and progress on the Community Governance Review. The committee approved its updated workplan for 2026-2027 and resolved to proceed with the second phase of public consultation for the Community Governance Review, having considered the submissions received.

Workplan 2026-2027

The committee approved its updated workplan for the upcoming year. Councillor Simon Fairhall inquired about the process for submitting additional items for consideration, and it was confirmed that suggestions could be made to the Chair, with potential adjustments to the workplan outside of the ordinary meeting timetable. Councillor Emily Fedorowycz suggested several topics for future inclusion, including petitions, piloting new technology for public engagement, motions and public speaking, reviewing the planning committee structure, and examining procurement and financial procedures. Officers noted that many of these items were already being considered within the annual review of the constitution, and that financial procedures were routinely reviewed.

Community Governance Review

The committee considered draft recommendations for the Community Governance Review, which aims to ensure that local governance arrangements remain effective, representative, and reflective of local communities. Heather Jackson, Head of Electoral Services, presented the report, outlining the process undertaken so far, including the initial consultation period.

The committee discussed various proposals for changes to parish boundaries, warding arrangements, and councillor numbers across several areas.

Minor Changes Approved for Consultation:

• Ashley: Proposal to increase the number of councillors from 5 to 7.
• Gretton: Proposal to increase the number of councillors from 9 to 11.
• Raunds: Proposal to replace the existing ward structure with an unwarded town council and increase the number of councillors from 12 to 15.
• Rushden: Proposals to merge the Donne Close and Prospect Avenue wards into Rushden Lakes ward, split Rushden South ward into Sartoris (4 councillors) and Bates (3 councillors) wards, and split Rushden Pemberton ward into Pemberton (5 councillors) and Spencer (2 councillors) wards.
• Stanwick: Proposal to increase the number of councillors from 7 to 9 and amend the parish boundary.
• Titchmarsh: Proposal to reduce the number of councillors from 9 to 7.
• Yarwell: Proposal to increase the number of councillors from 7 to 9.

Major Changes Approved for Consultation:

• Apethorpe: The proposal to create a new parish council was not taken forward due to insufficient electors (123), but the committee resolved to invite representations on exploring alternative governance arrangements, such as grouping with adjoining parishes.
• Burton Latimer: Anomalies in the parish boundary were noted and will be considered as part of the wider review of adjoining parishes.
• Chelveston-cum-Caldecott: The proposal to move the parish boundary to incorporate Chelveston Lodge was approved for further consultation.
• Corby: Several proposals were approved for consultation, including amendments to parish boundaries with Cottingham (unchanged), Deene & Deenethorpe (amended), Newton & Little Oakley (unchanged), Little Stanion (boundary changes to the north of Long Croft Road and at Midlands Logistics Park), Middleton (boundary amended to the A427, with Darnell's Lodge transferred to East Carlton), Stanion (boundary amended at Joe Sims Lane), and Weldon (boundary amended near Ore Lane). The warding pattern for Corby Town Council was approved for consultation, with representations sought on potential ward names and alternative configurations. The number of councillors for Corby Town Council was proposed to increase from 17 to 21, spread across 9 wards.
• Desborough: The revised warding pattern and potential ward names were approved for further consultation.
• Kettering: Amendments to ward boundaries between Wicksteed and St Peter's wards, and between Ise and Pipers Hill wards, were approved for consultation. The warding pattern for Kettering Town Council was approved for consultation, with representations sought on ward names and configurations.
• Oundle & Glapthorn: The boundary at Cotterstock Meadows will be realigned to place the entire development within Oundle Parish, while the Old Farm Lane development will remain in Glapthorn Parish.
• Rothwell: The warding pattern and ward names will be amended, subject to detailed mapping and consideration of community identity, electoral equality, and effective local governance.
• Weldon: Three options were approved for further consultation: amending the boundary to transfer Zone 3 of the Priors Hall Park development into Weldon Parish; the creation of a separate parish and community council for Priors Hall Park; and the exploration of alternative governance arrangements within Weldon Parish, such as a structured warding pattern.

The committee noted that a significant number of parish areas had no submissions, and in the absence of any proposals for change, the recommendation was that current electoral arrangements remain unchanged for these areas.