The Electoral Review Committee met on Thursday 26 March 2026 to discuss the Community Governance Review 2025/26. The committee agreed to conclude the review for a number of parishes and made draft recommendations for consultation on others, including significant boundary changes proposed by Devizes Town Council and Purton Parish Council.

Community Governance Review 2025/26

The committee concluded the Community Governance Review for a significant number of parishes, including Bulkington, Cheverell Magna, Little Cheverell, Market Lavington, Marston, Rowde, Seend, Avebury, Baydon, Chilton Foliat, Ogbourne St George, Bromham, Coulston, Easterton, Erlestoke, Etchilhampton, Poulshot, Urchfont, West Lavington, Worton, Aldbourne, Berwick Bassett, Winterbourne Monkton, East Kennett, Kennet Valley, Marlborough, Mildenhall, Ogbourne St Andrew, Preshute, Ramsbury, Savernake, Broad Town, Broad Hinton, Winterbourne Bassett, Clyffe Pypard and Bushton, Cricklade, Latton, Marston Meysey, Tockenham, Lyneham and Bradenstoke. The committee also resolved to conclude the review in relation to a submission by Melksham Without Parish Council, which had been withdrawn.

The committee then moved to consider areas where requests for changes to town and parish boundaries or governance arrangements had been received.

Devizes and surrounding parishes

Devizes Town Council submitted a proposal for 15 areas of boundary change, including a significant transfer of the polling district SG2 from Bishops Cannings Parish. Bishops Cannings Parish Council strongly objected to this proposal, arguing that the SG2 area, home to over 2,000 electors, was an urban community with strong ties to Devizes but that its transfer would undermine the identity and effective governance of Bishops Cannings. They presented extensive evidence of their council's recent achievements in improving local amenities and community engagement, arguing that Devizes Town Council had not provided evidence to support its claims and that the transfer would lead to higher council tax for residents without demonstrable benefit. Devizes Town Council argued that the SG2 area identified more strongly with Devizes geographically, economically, and socially, and that residents often defaulted to Devizes for services.

The committee resolved to take forward Devizes Town Council proposals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, and 14 for consultation as part of the Draft Recommendations. They also agreed to proceed with proposals 6, 7, 8, and 9 relating to Potterne and Rowde for consultation. However, proposal 13, relating to the SG2 polling district, was not recommended for consultation, with the committee deciding to leave the area within Bishops Cannings. The committee agreed to delegate to officers the consultation on options for boundary changes for London Road, Windsor Drive, and Coate Lane.

Purton and Braydon

Purton Parish Council requested the establishment of wards within its parish and proposed the merger of Braydon Parish with Purton. Braydon Parish Meeting, representing a small, rural community of just over 50 electors, strongly objected to the merger proposal. Residents of Braydon highlighted their distinct rural identity, effective local governance through their parish meeting, and limited ties to Purton, arguing that a merger would dilute their voice and add unnecessary bureaucracy.

The committee resolved not to proceed with the Purton Parish Council request relating to a merger with Braydon Parish Meeting. However, they did recommend that Purton Parish Council be made up of four wards and recommended the transfer of land around Common Platt to Purton.

Royal Wootton Bassett and Lydiard Tregoze

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council requested the transfer of land from Lydiard Tregoze, citing projected development that would naturally form part of the urban community of Royal Wootton Bassett. Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council objected to this proposal, questioning the reliance on projected development and arguing that the transfer would significantly reduce the size and viability of their parish.

The committee resolved not to recommend the Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council proposal for areas of Lydiard Tregoze marked A & B and to cease the review for these areas. They delegated to the Democracy Manager the task of drawing up a proposal for the realignment of Royal Wootton Bassett wards and unitary boundaries to be considered at the next meeting.

Lydiard Milicent

Lydiard Milicent Parish Council proposed a review of their boundary with Lydiard Tregoze at Greatfield, stating that the community was split by the current boundary. Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council objected, stating there were no community or governance benefits to adjusting the boundary. The committee agreed to leave the boundary unchanged.

Other Matters

The committee also received an update on Electoral Variance around Old Sarum and Lower Bourne Valley Divisions, agreeing to liaise with local members and parish councils on potential options ahead of a Community Governance Review in summer 2026.

The next meeting was scheduled for 9 June 2026, with an additional meeting to be scheduled to consider further proposals.