Hertsmere Borough council has been asked by the electors of Bushey to undertake a Community Governance Review in Bushey, to consult on the creation of a Civil Parish and a Parish Council.
Community Governance Reviews are undertaken in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007:
Community Governance Reviews - Guidance
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.
- Bushey Boundary (opens in new tab)pdf file[1.4MB]
- Bushey Ward Boundaries (opens in new tab)pdf file[1.57MB]
Timetable
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Community Governance Review begins and the Terms of Reference are approved and published by the council | 16 September 2026 |
| First consultation period where submissions are invited | 2 November 2026 – 31 January 2027 |
| Consideration of submissions received and draft recommendations are prepared | 1 February – 1 March 2027 |
| Draft recommendations are published | 5 March 2027 |
| Second consultation period where final submissions are invited | 5 March – 30 June 2027 |
| Consideration of submissions received and final recommendations are prepared and published | August 2027 |
| Final decision on the recommendations and, where appropriate, the making of a Reorganisation Order | September 2027 |
FAQs
What is a Parish Council?
Parish Councils are the level of government closest to the local community. They have various duties and powers with an overall responsibility for the wellbeing of the community.
More information can be found on the National Association of Local Councils website.
If a small percentage of residents reply will the Council still create a parish council?
This review was triggered by a petition of Bushey residents, and the Council are responsible to consider the responses they receive during the consultation process. Just like an election, the result will be decided on the responses received and not the omission of any responses not received.
How are Parish Councils funded?
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.
What is the difference between Local Government Reorganisation and Community Governance Reviews?
Parish Councils are not included in a Local Government Reorganisation. The “two-tier system” of the reorganisation refers to varying levels of a Borough or District council only.
Local Government Reorganisation is the process of restructuring a two-tier system under a single-tier unitary authority. A Community Governance Review is a consultation process that allows local councils to review, create and change the structure, boundaries, and electoral arrangements of town, community, and parish councils.
What effect will Local Government Reorganisation have on Parish Councils?
Local Government Reorganisation does not statutorily influence the parish level of governance.
However, other case studies of unitarisation suggest that key effects on parish councils could be:
- Increased responsibility – parishes may take over some services to maintain community standards.
- Heavier financial burdens – parishes may be responsible of inheriting local assets that would require higher precepts to cover costs of such assets.
- Representation responsibility – in a unitary authority, parishes could bridge the gap between the larger authority and be the primary voice of local identity.
- Shift in relationships – Parish Councils would adapt to one centralised unitary authority rather than having to consider if they contact the Borough or the County Council.
These effects are dependent on the management and devolution of responsibilities from the higher-tier councils.
What is the difference between a Parish Council and a Town Council?
In short terms, the difference is the name. A “Parish” is an umbrella term for the local government tier of Parish/Town/Community Councils. The statutory powers do not differ between any of the named councils, but the Parish Councillors are responsible for naming the council something that shows the identity of the area.
If a parish council is set up, would the parish councillors be Potters Bar residents?
The qualifications for standing at a Parish Council election are:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights
- Meet at least one of the four residency requirements:
- Be a registered elector for the parish area
- Live in or own any land or other premises within the parish area (for 12 months before the day before of nominations and the day of election)
- Work in the parish area (for 12 months before the day before of nominations and the day of election)
- Live in the parish area or within three miles of it (for 12 months before the day before of nominations and the day of election)