Cheshire West and Chester Council,
The Portal,
Wellington Road,
Ellesmere Port,
CH65 OBA
Tel: 01244 977076
7 September 2026
Email: DemocraticServices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Dear Stakeholder,
Community Governance Review of Frodsham Town Council – Third and Final Consultation on Final Recommendations
Cheshire West and Chester Council is undertaking a Community Governance Review (CGR) of Frodsham Town Council under the provisions of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. This is the third and final stage of consultation before the Community Governance Review Committee considers its final recommendations.
Why is the Review Being Undertaken?
The review was originally requested by Frodsham Town Council, which asked Cheshire West and Chester Council to consider whether the current arrangements remained appropriate. The Town Council advised that it had experienced ongoing difficulties filling all 16 councillor positions and requested that Cheshire West and Chester Council review its electoral arrangements, including the number of councillors and warding arrangements. The Town Council’s original proposal was to reduce its membership from 16 councillors to 12 councillors.
Since the review commenced, two consultation exercises have been undertaken. The first consultation generated a relatively low response rate, and the Committee therefore agreed to undertake a second, wider consultation which included writing directly to every household within Frodsham. While this provided residents with a further opportunity to participate, the response rate remained relatively low when compared to the significant cost of distributing consultation material to all households.
As a result, the Community Governance Review Committee has agreed that this final consultation will be conducted primarily through electronic methods and by directly contacting key stakeholders and interested parties.
Final Recommendations
Having considered the responses received to date, Cheshire West and Chester Council is consulting on the following final recommendations:
1. Reduction in Membership
That the membership of Frodsham Town Council be reduced from 16 councillors to 12 councillors, with effect from the ordinary local elections in May 2027.
2. Removal of Town Council Wards
That from the ordinary local elections in May 2027, Frodsham Town Council should no longer be divided into the following four wards:
• Frodsham Town Council – Castle Park Ward
• Frodsham Town Council – Frodsham Lakes Ward
• Frodsham Town Council – Frodsham Waterside Ward
• Frodsham Town Council – Overton and Five Crosses Ward
Instead, all 12 councillors would be elected to serve Frodsham Town Council as a whole, representing and governing the entire parish rather than individual wards.
Consultation Questions
Question 1
Do you have any final comments to make regarding the proposal to reduce the membership of Frodsham Town Council from 16 councillors to 12 councillors from the May 2027 local elections?
Question 2
Do you have any final comments to make regarding proposal to remove the four existing Town Council wards and elect all councillors to represent the whole parish of Frodsham from the May 2027 local elections?
Question 3
Please provide any comments you wish to make regarding these recommendations.
How to Respond
Comments should be submitted by email to:
democraticservices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Please include:
“Frodsham Community Governance Review” in the subject line of your email.
Consultation Closing Date
The consultation will close on:
Thursday 1 October 2026
Any comments received after this date may not be considered as part of the review.
Who Are We Consulting?
This final consultation has been sent to key stakeholders, including:
• Frodsham Town Council
• Cheshire West and Chester Ward Councillors
• The Member of Parliament
• Frodsham Library
• Frodsham Arts Centre
• Neighbouring parish councils
• Community organisations and other interested parties
• Cheshire Association of Local Councils
Information about the consultation will also be made available through electronic channels, press release, and social media to maximise public awareness while ensuring resources are used proportionately.
Further Information
If you have any questions about the Community Governance Review process, please contact:
Andrea Thwaite
Scrutiny and Events Manager
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Email: democraticservices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Thank you for taking the time to participate in this final stage of the Community Governance Review. The Community Governance Review Committee will consider all responses received before making its final recommendations to Cheshire West and Chester Council. Its next meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday, 12 October.
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours faithfully,
A C Thwaite
Andrea Thwaite – Democratic Services
Cheshire West and Chester Council