THE electoral arrangements of Tarset with Greystead Parish Council are being examined with a view to removing its subdivision into wards.

The Parish of Tarset with Greystead currently comprises two wards, the Tarset Ward with an electorate of 62, and the Greystead Ward with an electorate of 174.

The Parish has a total of eight parish councillors with five representing the Tarset Ward, and three representing the Greystead Ward.

The parish council is concerned that there have been difficulties at past elections for election candidates in obtaining signatures on nomination papers from electors eligible to do so.

If the parish was unwarded, then this difficulty would be removed, and all eight parish councillors would represent the whole of the Tarset with Greystead Parish.

Northumberland County Council has the powers to conduct community governance reviews which can involve creating new or amalgamating parishes and amending electoral arrangements. 

The county council is now consulting with local electors and other stakeholders in the area about the proposals. 

A report will then be sent to the council informing it of the outcome and, if an order is made, the removal of the two wards will come into force from the next ordinary elections of the parish council in May 2025.

The electoral arrangements of Allendale Parish Council are also being examined with a view to reducing its number of members from 13 to 8.

It comes as the parish council is finding it increasingly difficult to fill vacancies.

The county council is consulting with local electors and other stakeholders in the area about the proposals.

If approved, the recommendations of the review will lead to a reduction in the number of parish councillors to eight at the next ordinary elections of the Parish Council in May 2025. 

If you would like to make your views known, they should be submitted, in writing, by June 17, 2022 to Lesley Bennett, Senior democratic services officer, Democratic services, Northumberland County Council, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF or email cgreviews@northumberland.gov.uk or Lesley.Bennett@northumberland.gov.uk