Governance Efficiency

Less duplication, streamlining decision-making, and reducing administrative costs.

More tailored governance, but may duplicate effort, increasing admin costs.

No formal local governance  and reliance on a unitary authority with limited local responsiveness.

Financial Strength & Precept

Larger precept* base spreads the financial burden more evenly, enabling broader projects and services.

Smaller councils may require higher precepts to sustain service levels.

No precept retained locally; no funding or budget control at parish level.

Local Voice & Representation

Stronger position with higher-tier authorities due to larger size and capability.

More personalised representation for smaller communities, but less strategic leverage.

No directly elected local body to represent the community’s interests or advocate on local issues.

General Power of Competence (GPC)**

Easier to meet legal criteria to retain GPC and expand local powers.

Some councils may not meet eligibility for GPC, limiting their powers.

No legal authority or powers at community level; all matters handled centrally.

Economies of Scale

Efficient service delivery through shared contracts and staffing across three villages.

Loss of economies of scale can increase the cost of services.

No local procurement or coordination of services.

Parish Identity and Community Cohesion

Fosters collective identity and shared goals across all three communities.

Reinforces the unique identities of each village.

Reduced civic identity and fewer opportunities for local engagement without formal representation.

Strategic Project Delivery

Greater capacity for larger infrastructure and multi-village projects through shared resources and staff.

Focus on hyper-local projects; may lack capacity for major initiatives.

No structured means to plan, fund or deliver community-led projects.

Staffing and Expertise

Resources to employ qualified, full-time staff for compliance, projects, and support.

Smaller councils may depend on part-time or volunteer staff.

No dedicated staff; no administrative capacity to support residents or manage local matters.

Resilience and Continuity

Greater resilience to staffing and councillor turnover; operations can continue with less disruption.

Smaller councils may struggle if key roles are unfilled or if councillor numbers fall.

No local democratic continuity; loss of community-led decision-making and institutional memory.