Greasley Parish Secures Its Boundaries

A Consultation

Broxtowe Borough Council provided a 2 stage consultation process, during which a letter was sent to each affected household. The first round of consultation took place between 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024, and the purpose of this consultation was “to seek the residents/interested parties’ views on which of the proposed three options to proceed with”. Greasley Parish Council and several residents responded to this consultation, but the response rate was relatively low.

The second consultation took place between 15 July 2024 to 6 October 2024 to “seek the residents/interested parties’ views on the Council’s recommendations to proceed with Option 1”. Option 1 proposed dissolving Greasley Parish and merging its area with 4 surrounding Parish and Town Councils. Some of the new Town Councils would be renamed to maintain some of the historical names of settlements in the area. The information offered on the proposed dissolution and merger of Greasley Parish was minimal, leaving many residents without a clear understanding of the potential benefits or implications of such a merger. Several residents approached GPC for clarity on the question posed by the consultation and the implications of the proposals.

Recognizing the need for greater explanation and engagement, Greasley Parish Council stepped in to expand and extend the consultation process:

• Accessible Consultation Options: GPC provided both paper forms and online consultation opportunities, ensuring all residents had the chance to participate, regardless of their preferred method of communication or access to technology.
• Informative In-Person Events: To address the lack of detailed information, GPC organized two in-person events where residents could learn about the potential pros and cons of the proposed changes. Borough councillors and staff were invited to these events to explain Broxtowe Borough Council’s position and answer residents’ questions.
• Community Engagement: The Parish Council proactively communicated with residents through various channels to encourage participation and ensure that as many voices as possible were included.

The response to this consultation was extraordinary. Over 1,000 submissions were received during the consultation process, a testament to how deeply the issue resonated with the community. This level of engagement highlighted the importance of the matter to residents and underscored their desire to protect the identity and integrity of Greasley Parish.

The Decision-Making Process

The decision to retain Greasley Parish’s boundaries followed a multi-stage process of analysis and consultation. A Task and Finish Group (TFG) was created, whose remit was to consider the responses received during the two consultation stages and to make recommendations in light of the responses.

On 11 November 2024, the TFG convened to review the responses from the second consultation in detail. Officers provided an in-depth analysis of the consultation results and advised on the key considerations influencing the decision. During this meeting, the TFG was also made aware of a legal letter submitted on behalf of Greasley Parish Council, which raised concerns about the process being followed.

After carefully deliberating the overwhelming negative feedback to Option 1 (the proposed dissolution and merger of Greasley Parish), the TFG reached a unanimous recommendation to:

1. “not to proceed with the Option 1 as set out in the second consultation and instead to leave the boundaries in the North of the Borough as they are. As it was evident to the TFG from the consultation responses that there was an overwhelming negative response to proceeding with Option 1.
2. “not to proceed with any other element of Option 1 as there is insufficient support from the consultation responses to be able to deal with any boundary amendments to the North of the Borough. To conclude the CGR 2023 without making any changes to the community governance arrangements.
3. “The TFG, therefore, recommend that a further CGR commence after May 2025, to deal with the outstanding boundary issues in the North of the Borough. Consultation to commence after engagement with all relevant stakeholders has taken place to assist with framing the scope of the CGR”

Following the TFG’s recommendations, the Governance, Audit, and Standards (GAS) Committee unanimously voted on 25 November 2024 to endorse the proposals. The final decision was made on 11 December 2024, when the Full Council unanimously accepted the recommendations, bringing the CGR to a close with no changes to Greasley Parish’s boundaries.

Looking Ahead

In addition to the boundary decision, councillors provided reassurances for the future. When boundary discussions resume in May, they have pledged to fully consult with residents and parish councils before and throughout the process. This commitment to transparency and inclusion aims to ensure that the community’s voice is heard from the very beginning.

Greasley Parish Council remains open to future discussions regarding the tidying up of boundaries to address issues that may arise from the current arrangements. We acknowledge that the existing boundaries may not be entirely suitable or sustainable in the long term. However, Greasley is a proud and vibrant parish with a strong sense of identity, and we firmly believe its autonomy should be respected. Any future changes must prioritise the community’s interests and ensure that residents’ voices are central to the process.

A United Community

This decision is a testament to what can be achieved when a community stands united. Greasley’s identity is more than just a boundary—it is a reflection of its people, history, and shared values.

The Parish Council thanks everyone who contributed to this success and looks forward to continuing to serve and support the Greasley community. Together, we can ensure that Greasley remains a thriving and vibrant parish for generations to come.

For updates on this and other parish matters, follow our social media channels or visit the parish website.