Community Governance Review

A Community Governance Review (CGR) is a process whereby East Suffolk Council can make changes to the governance arrangements for town and parish councils and parish areas.

The process involves asking the public and other interested parties about the most suitable way of representing the local communities.  This is to ensure that local governance arrangements within East Suffolk continue to be reflective of the identity and interest of local communities and that they are as efficient and effective as they can be.

Community Governance Reviews are undertaken in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.  This enables East Suffolk Council to review parish governance systems and structures.  A number of changes can be made when there is clear evidence to do so:

  • Changes to parish areas.  This includes changes to parish boundaries, the merging of two or more parishes, creating a new parish out of part of one or more existing parishes.
  • Changes to electoral arrangements.  This includes changing the number of parish councillors and introducing or changing parish warding arrangements.
  • Changes to the name of a parish.  (this can also be undertaken through a process under S75 of Local Government Act 1972).
  • Changes to parish grouping arrangements.  This involves the grouping together of parishes under a common parish council.

It is good practice to carry out a Community Governance Review every 10-15 years.  However, East Suffolk Council may schedule a review in response of a reasonable request from an individual, group or parish or following the receipt of a valid petition containing the sufficient number of signatures required.

For more information on the review process, please read the Government guidance Community governance reviews: guidance - GOV.UK or email CGR@eastsuffolk.gov.uk.

East Suffolk Council Community Governance Review 2026

East Suffolk Council resolved to undertake a Community Governance Review of the following parishes:

  • Aldeburgh
  • Bramfield
  • Eyke
  • Thorington

Council Report – 28 January 2026 
Terms of Reference 
Notice of Review

Aldeburgh

A request was received from Aldeburgh Town Council to reduce the number of councillors representing the parish from 14 to 12.
This request has since been withdrawn and will no longer be included in the review.

Bramfield and Thorington

A request was received from Bramfield and Thorington Parish Council to reduce the number of councillors representing the grouped parishes.

  • Bramfield - a reduction from 9 to 6
  • Thorington - a reduction from 2 to 1

Eyke

A request was received from Eyke Parish Council to increase the number of councillors representing the parish from 7 to 8.

Have your say

Residents, businesses, political representatives, and other stakeholders of the areas under review are invited to submit a response to the consultation.
If you have any comments on the requests that have been received from Bramfield and Thorington Parish Council and Eyke Parish Council, please let us know.

Email us at cgr@eastsuffolk.gov.uk 
Write to us at: East Suffolk Council, Electoral Services, East Suffolk House, Riduna Park, Station Road, Melton, Woodbridge IP12 1RT

The deadline for Stage 1 submissions is Tuesday 10 March 2026.

Stage Action Dates
Authorisation 1: Council resolves to undertake CGR.
2: Terms of reference approved		 28 January 2026
Commencement Notice of review published. 29 January 2026
Stage one 1: Consideration of submissions received from Town/Parish Councils.
2: Draft recommendations prepared.		 February - March 2026
Stage two Draft recommendations to be considered by Council and approved for further consultation. 25 March 2026
Stage three 1: Consultation with Stakeholders on draft recommendations.
2: Final recommendations prepared.		 April - July 2026
Stage four Final recommendations to be considered by council with resolution to make a Re-organisation Order. July 2026 (TBC)
Completion Re-organisation Order made. As soon as practicable after publication of final recommendations

East Suffolk Council Community Governance Review 2021-2022

East Suffolk Council resolved to undertake a Community Governance Review of all parishes within the district area during 2021 to 2022.

Final recommendations

Following a period of consultation, the final recommendations were approved by East Suffolk at its meeting on Wednesday 28 September 2022.

Where necessary, consent was requested from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England prior to Re-organisation Orders being made.

The Re-organisation Order took effect from 1 April 2023.  Electoral arrangements will come into force at the first scheduled elections following the date on which the Order was made, unless otherwise stated.