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Welcome to the Second Stage of our Community Governance Review Consultation for the Potters Bar area.
The second stage of consultation runs from 1 July to 23 August 2026.
People who live or work in Potters Bar are being invited to have their say on the next stage of a Community Governance Review (CGR), which is considering whether a parish council should be established for the unparished area of the town.
The first stage of the review ran from 21 April to 8 June 2026 and received 604 responses. Of those who took part, 72 per cent supported the establishment of a parish council.
The overall response from the first consultation stated that a civil parish and parish council would strengthen local democracy, representation and community identity. Responses also asked for a parish council to provide accountability and influence over decisions affecting Potters Bar.
Although, opponents of a Potters Bar parish council were primarily concerned about the cost, duplication of services and uncertainty over the practical benefits.
The feedback received has helped shape the draft proposals now being consulted on before a final decision is made by the council in September.
Draft Proposals
Where a parish council is created, it may be divided into parish wards. ‘Warding’ may be appropriate where it supports effective and convenient local governance, ensures a fair distribution of representation, enables councillors to focus on defined local areas, reflects patterns of community identity, or assists in balancing the ratio of electors to councillors.
It also means that if a vacancy arises in a ward, for example, due to the resignation of a councillor and an election is called, the by-election that will take place to fill the vacancy will involve only the electors of the ward in which the vacancy arose. This will be significantly less expensive than if the parish council was not divided into wards because in that case, every elector in the Potters Bar parish would be eligible to vote in the by-election and the larger the election, the greater the cost to the public purse and ultimately to local residents.
Potters Bar is currently divided into eleven polling districts (listed below) across four wards. It is the Council’s proposal to create use the polling district boundaries as a template for the parish wards in Potters Bar.
These arrangements will assist in ensuring that when borough council and parish council elections occur on the same day that of electors will be able to vote in both elections at the same polling station.
Borough Ward
Polling District
Polling Name
Electorate (as of 01/06/26)
Potters Bar Furzefield
NA
MIMMS HALL
2722
NB
CRANBORNE
678
NC
WYLLYOTTS
912
Potters Bar Parkfield
PA
LITTLE HEATH
2608
PB
THE WALK
1130
Bentley Heath & The Royds
QA
ELMFIELD
1726
QB
SUNNYBANK
1471
QC
WROTHAM PARK
1247
Potters Bar Oakmere
RA
THE CAUSEWAY
1215
RB
OAKMERE WEST
1116
RC
OAKMERE EAST
1955
A parish council by law must have a minimum of five councillors.
The Council is proposing that councillor representation should align with the existing Hertsmere Borough Council polling districts/proposed parish wards (see proposal one). This would mean that one Councillor would be elected from each of the eleven areas.
Parish and town councils do not receive central government funding for their day-to-day running costs and consequently, a new parish council would be funded by local residents through a ‘parish precept’ which is an additional charge collected as part of Council Tax. The level of precept is determined by the parish council each financial year and is entirely dependent on the size of the parish, the services it provides, and its operating requirements.
If a parish council is established, Hertsmere Borough Council would be responsible for preparing a budget for the first financial year of the new council and ensuring that this amount is collected from Council tax-payers in Potter Bar in proportions that relate to their Council Tax banding. This will ensure that the new parish council has an appropriate budget in place to operate effectively during its first year of operation. Once established, the parish council would set its own precept for each financial year. The average parish precept in Hertsmere is currently £104.17.
On Monday 13th July, Hertsmere Officers met with residents of Potters Bar to discuss the ongoing community governance review and help to answer questions surrounding the review.
The first stage of the review ran from 21 April to 8 June 2026 and received 604 responses. Of those who took part, 72 per cent supported the establishment of a parish council.
The Q&A session was well attended and brought up a few more questions than originally included in the review. We have collated these questions and answered within the following document:
Hertsmere Borough Council has been asked by the electors of Potters Bar to undertake a Community Governance Review for the unparished area of Potters Bar, by way of petition, to consult on the creation of a Civil Parish and a Parish Council.
We will also be holding two public sessions where you can find out more and raise any questions you may have:
These will be at the Wyllyots Theatre, Wyllyots Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 2HZ.
What is a Community Governance Review?
A Community Governance Review (CGR) is a process that provides an opportunity to review and make changes to governance arrangements for town and parish councils and parish areas. This means making sure that those living in the area, and other interested groups, have a say in how their local communities are represented.
Community Governance Reviews are undertaken in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.
Parishes are independent of district and county councils but maintain a close working relationship with both.
The powers of parishes vary depending on how large and how active they are.
Some meet infrequently (but at least four times a year, including one public meeting) and are responsible for very few matters.
Other larger parishes undertake many duties such as managing cemeteries, allotments, commons, village halls, war memorials and markets etc.
Aldenham Parish Council covers Radlett, Aldenham, Letchmore Heath and Patchetts Green.
As of the last full publication of the register, Aldenham Parish Council have a total of 7673 parish electors.
Aldenham Parish Council has 12 councillors, divided equally into 2 wards.
Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council covers the areas of Elstree and Borehamwood.
As of the last full publication of the electoral register, the Town Council is responsible for 28,957 parish electors.
Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council has 13 councillors, divided between 7 wards.
Shenley Parish Council covers the total area of Shenley.
As of the last full publication of the electoral register, the Parish Council is responsible for 3282 parish electors.
Shenley Parish Council has 9 councillors and is not warded.
South Mimms and Ridge Parish Council covers the total area of South Mimms and Ridge.
As of the last full publication of the electoral register, the Parish Council is responsible for 856 parish electors.
South Mimms and Ridge Parish Council has 5 councillors, divided by wards by 4 councillors for South Mimms and 1 councillor for Ridge.
Review Timetable
The timetable has been adjusted since approval by Council. The below timetable is the updated schedule of events for the Review.
Event
Date
Community Governance Review begins and the Terms of Reference are approved and published by Council.
25 March 2026
First consultation period where initial submissions are invited.
21 April 2026 to 8 June 2026
Potters Bar Working Group review submissions and publish draft recommendations.
08 June 2026 to 30 June 2026
Draft recommendations are published.
30 June 2026
Second consultation period where final submissions are invited.
01 July 2026 to 23 August 2026
Potters Bar Working Group* review submissions and draft final recommendations.
24 August 2026 to 01 September 2026
Constitution and Member Development Panel considers draft recommendations and propose final recommendations to Council.
01 September 2026
Council considers and decides final recommendations.
16 September 2026
Community Governance Order(s) made
Autumn 2026
*Potters Bar Working Group is a team of Potters Bar Borough Councillors working with officers to deliver the review
Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference document details the framework of the Community Governance Review. This document outlines the purpose, responsibilities and deliverables of the review.
Section 81 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 requires the Council to draw up and publish Terms of Reference when conducting a Community Governance Review.
Parish councils are the level of government closest to the local community. They are a local authority with various duties and powers with an overall responsibility for the wellbeing of the community.
A civil parish is the area or locality that sits within the designated parish boundary.
A civil parish is the lowest tier of local government administration in England, representing a specific geographical area (village, town, or neighbourhood).
A parish council is the elected body of local councillors responsible for managing that specific civil parish area.
Yes.
Small parishes (typically fewer than 200 electors) often do not have a parish council. These civil parishes operate through a parish meeting. A parish meeting is overseen by the principle authority of the area and is made up of an assembly of residents. The civil parish only exists as a geographical and legal entity.
If a parish has no council, a parish meeting must still take place at least once a year.
Parish councils are funded through a precept meaning, an amount of money calculated as part of the local council tax. These funds are budgeted and allocated to improve facilities and services within the community.
Parish councils also qualify for funds from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This is money that local authorities can set on new development in order to raise funds to help fund the infrastructure, facilities and services - such as schools or transport improvements - needed to support new homes and businesses.
For parish areas with an approved neighbourhood plan, parish councils would receive 25 per cent of CIL money. However, for parish areas without a neighbourhood plan, parish councils would only receive 15 per cent of CIL money.
The ‘name’ of a parish refers to the geographical name of the area concerned and can be changed independent of a review by a principal council at the request of a parish council or parish meeting (where there is no parish council).
A change in the status or ‘style’ of a parish allows for that area to be known as a town, community neighbourhood or village, rather than as a parish.
The 'name' or 'style' of a parish does not change its level of governance, status or responsibility.
The consultation process of a Community Governance Review impacts the recommendations made by Council. Without responses, we are unable to determine a true picture of what the residents want for the Potters Bar area.
The recommendations made at the end of the review, must be fully supported by evidence. All comments and representations received will be considered.
If you require a paper version of this form or would rather submit your response over the phone, please contact our electoral services team by calling 020 8207 7481 or emailing elections@hertsmere.gov.uk
