A COMMUNITY governance review of Penketh Parish Council will take place with a view to its abolition – although this has been labelled as ‘unlikely’.

At Warrington Borough Council’s recent audit and corporate governance committee meeting, members were recommended to approve a community governance review of parish council.

A report to the committee said a petition signed by 557 residents of the parish council area was received in October 2020, adding that a petition must be signed by a minimum 7.5 per cent of the electorate of the parish areas.

The electorate at the time of submission was 6,856 therefore that threshold was met.

The residents have requested that a community governance review is undertaken of parish council with a view to its abolition.

The report to the committee said: “In the unlikely event that a decision is agreed to abolish the parish council the property, rights and liabilities of the parish council would transfer to any new successive parish council or where none to Warrington Borough Council.”

It also said the outcome of the consultation process will be reported in the first instance to the committee after consideration by the community governance review working group, in order that recommendations can be made to full council.

The committee agreed to set up the working group to undertake the review.

The borough council has been asked when it expects to be in a position to confirm, following the review, if the parish council will be abolished or not.

A spokesman said: “We aim to finalise the review in approximately 12 months, and any potential changes would be effective for the May 2024 elections.”

Furthermore, during the meeting, members were asked to acknowledge receipt of and consider a request from Poulton with Fearnhead Parish Council to undertake a community governance review in relation to its boundary and electoral arrangements, as well as acknowledge receipt of and consider a request from Winwick Parish Council to undertake a community governance review in relation to its electoral arrangements, specifically the number of councillors per ward.

Members were also recommended to determine the five members of the community governance review working group.

The borough council has confirmed that the working group was established – and that the committee deferred membership to be confirmed outside of the meeting in consultation with the group leaders.

The spokesman added: “We would look to finalise any review so any potential changes are effective for the May 2024 elections.”