Important Notice – Proposed Parish Boundary Change
On Friday 28th February 2025, North Somerset Council launched a Community Governance Review (CGR). This is a legal process which offers an opportunity to review, create and make changes to the governance arrangements for town and parish councils, as well as parish areas.
In response, on 19th March 2025 Nailsea Town Council voted to recommend that a proposed change to the Settlement Boundary is put forward to the Community Governance Review. This boundary change would see The Elms and land to the North and Northeast of Nailsea, currently being considered for future development, removed from Wraxall and Failand Parish and reallocated to form part of Nailsea.
The transfer of The Elms into the Nailsea Town Council boundary carries cost implications to ALL the current residents of Wraxall and Failand Parish.
Residents of The Elms would be faced with a significantly higher precept in Nailsea (currently 227% greater across all council tax bands). Whilst the remaining residents of Wraxall and Failand would still be required to cover the operating costs of Parish Services; hence, the precept would need to increase.
There are other factors besides the precept that would also be impacted by this change, including the influence of the Parish Council, differing priorities and the extent of representation within the Council, which would diminish in the event of a boundary change.
Wraxall and Failand Parish Council has reflected the views and concerns of its residents on protecting the Green Belt, on biodiversity and on agriculture, and it currently plays a significant part in influencing North Somerset Council decisions.
If current boundaries are retained, then the residents of Wraxall and Failand Parish, including those of The Elms, will continue to be strongly represented.
The Community Governance Review consultation is open until 11.59pm on Wednesday 30th April.
We would encourage all residents to complete the questionnaire (10 mins) by either: scanning the QR code from the attached information sheet, visiting www.n-somerset.gov.uk/cgrconsultation or picking up a paper copy of the consultation from their local library.
Tip: Please use “Question 12: Any Further Comments” to add the impact of a boundary change on you!