15/11/2011 - Permalink

Have your say on Oswestry parish boundaries

Related topics: Community / Democracy

The people of Oswestry have a rare chance to shape the political landscape of their area as part of a review of parish boundaries – but time is running out to get involved.

Shropshire Council is carrying out a Community Governance Review for Oswestry and people living in the town and the surrounding parishes are being asked for their views on changes to the electoral arrangements for the area.

Councillor David Lloyd, chairman of the working group overseeing the review, said it was important residents got involved – and the deadline to do so was fast approaching.  He said:

“Reviews like this don’t happen very often, and indeed it’s something of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have your say on the make-up of town and parish council boundaries in Oswestry.

“It may not seem very exciting at first glance, but it’s really important to have a look at the proposals because it could change how many councillors represent your area in the future.

“It’s important when considering changes to ward boundaries to ensure that there are a similar number of electors to councillors in each ward and that community identity is retained.  We don’t want to put certain roads or streets that may be part of quite different communities in the same ward, and we need local people to tell us if the proposals might do that.

“This is an opportunity for the people of Oswestry and the surrounding parishes to have a say and I would urge them to send us their views.”

The review will consider:

  • The number of members of Oswestry Town Council.
  • The division of the parish into wards.
  • The number of members per ward.
  • Whether there should be any minor changes to the boundaries of the town with adjoining parishes, in particular around the Trefonen Road and Broomhall Close area.
  • Whether there should be any changes to the parish boundaries with Oswestry Town and the parishes of Selattyn and Gobowen, Whittington and Oswestry Rural.

The cross-political working party will consider all representations received from town and parish councils, local electors and other local organisations from within the district.  From these, it will put forward proposals for changes which will then take effect at the next Local Government elections in 2013.

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals can do so until 5 December 2011 by writing to Democratic Services, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6ND or emailing democracy@shropshire.gov.uk

For further information, contact either Adrian Dean on 01743 252893 or Richard Thomas on 01743 252725.

Copies of the terms of reference for the review and the maps can be viewed at Shropshire Council’s offices at Castle View, Oswestry; Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury; or at the offices of Oswestry Town Council at The Guildhall, Oswestry.  They can also be viewed at by clicking this link.