COMMUNITIES are reminded to have their say as part of Mid Devon’s Parish Review.

So far, Mid Devon District Council has received more than 50 comments on its first Parish Review consultation which is seeking views on the current and future governance and structure of parish councils across Mid Devon.

This is the first stage of consultation in a year-long process. The deadline for comments is Monday, February 28.

The District Council began the Parish Review (formerly known as a Community Governance Review) in November 2021.

As part of the process the Council will be reviewing all towns and parishes in Mid Devon and will be considering a number of options. These include:

• creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes

• changing the name of parishes

• the electoral arrangements for parishes (number of councillors, warding)

• grouping parishes under a common parish council or de-grouping parishes.

Jill May, Director of Corporate Affairs said: “This is a great opportunity for the community to be involved with the Parish Review.

"I encourage individuals and organisations to send in their views before February 28 as everybody can help influence and in turn improve local democracy and create more effective services within our local communities.”

At the end of the review period the Council will make a number of recommendations which will be made available in a public document, including the reasoning behind each recommendation.

Recommendations could include:

• boundary changes

• revised electoral arrangements

• the abolition of a parish/es

• grouping or ungroup existing parishes

• changing the name of a parish council, to reflect any boundary changes as appropriate.

Any changes as a result of the review would come into effect for the 2023 all-out elections.

Please use the comment form to share your views at: https://www.middevon.gov.uk/do-it-online/other/parish-review/ .

You can also call 01884 255 255, email: [email protected] or write to Parish Review, Electoral Services, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton EX16 6PP.