Changes could be made to parish boundaries, the number of councillors and the name of parish and town councils as Dorset Council is undertaking a Community Governance Review.

Residents are encouraged to have their say by completing a survey.

A spokesman for Dorset Council said: "The Guidance on Community Governance Reviews issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government published in 2008 recommends that principal councils should undertake a review of its area every 10 to 15 years.

"For some areas of the council, a review has not been undertaken for some time and, following the creation of Dorset Council, it is deemed appropriate to undertake a review of all parishes within its area.

"A Community Governance Review offers an opportunity to put in place strong, clearly defined boundaries, tied to firm ground features, and remove any parish boundaries anomalies that may exist."

The review can consider:

• Creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes

• The naming of parishes and the style of new parishes and the creation of town councils

• The electoral arrangements for parishes - for instance the ordinary year of election, council size, the number of councillors to be elected to the council, and parish warding

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

• Other types of local arrangements, including parish meetings

The review cannot:

• Change the number of councillors on Dorset Council

• Change Dorset Council ward boundaries

• Change the amount of money that a parish council raises through your council tax

The review is required to take into account:

• The impact of community governance arrangements on community cohesion

• The size, population and boundaries of a local community or parish

The council is required to ensure that community governance within the area under review will:

• Be reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area

• Be effective and convenient

For more information and to complete the survey, visit dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

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