Bridport Community Governance Review on hold

A review looking at whether to change the parish boundaries of Bridport has been put on hold.

Earlier this year Bridport Town Council asked West Dorset District Council to carry out a review of its parish boundaries. This is known as a Community Governance Review.

Over the summer local people were asked to give their views on the governance arrangements for their area, in particular, the shared boundary with Symondsbury Town Council.

But at Tuesday’ strategy committee (11/9), the district council agreed to put the Community Governance Review on hold while the Local Government Boundary Commission for England carries out a review of the ward boundaries for the new Dorset Council.

The committee also recommended that Bridport Town Council resubmits its request to the new Dorset Council after its creation in April 2019. This would mean a wider review could take place and include other areas flagged by local residents during the consultation.

West Dorset District Council Corporate portfolio holder Cllr Peter Barrowcliff said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to give their views on this matter.

“We listened to the views expressed and decided it makes sense for a wider-reaching review to consider all the options for changes to the Bridport Parish boundary.

“Unfortunately this is not something that can be done within the original timeline of the review.”

Find more information about the review of community governance arrangements for the parish of Bridport and neighbouring parishes.

Photo: Bridport Town Council