WEYMOUTH residents are being invited to a meeting about proposed boundary changes that will shape the town’s future.

A Community Governance Review (CGR) meeting is being held tonight at 5pm tonight, Tuesday December 13 at Weymouth Town Council’s offices on Commercial Road.

Led by Dorset Council, the CGR will define Weymouth’s main boundary and council wards, as well as the number of councillors needed to represent residents’ views. Dorset Council has put forward two options for Weymouth, and is now running a public consultation to gather feedback.

What are the options?

Option one includes taking part of Chickerell into Weymouth and part of Bincombe into Weymouth where a large development is proposed.

Option two does not include taking part of Chickerell into Weymouth but does include taking in part of Bincombe, including the proposed development.

Tonight's meeting is aimed at helping residents understand how the changes will affect them – and, crucially, how to have a say in the consultation, which runs until Wednesday December 28.

The discussions will also help Weymouth Town Council formulate its own response to the plans.

Dorset Council leader Cllr Spencer Flower will be attending Tuesday’s meeting, which will be chaired by Jane Biscombe, town clerk for Weymouth Town Council. 

What is a Community Governance Review?

The Community Governance Review is a legal process which looks at the most suitable ways of representing the people in the area identified in the review.

It is supposed to ensure that any proposals reflect the identities and interests of the community and is effective and convenient.

A review can consider one or more of the following options:

  • 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.

Everyone is encouraged to make their views known on Dorset Council’s CGR by visiting www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/community-governance-review-2022 

For a paper questionnaire, call 01305 221000 or ask for one at your local library.