‘Shadow’ parish council near Newport set to hold first meeting later this month

A ‘shadow’ parish council near Newport is set to hold its first meeting later this month as part of a merger process.

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The map of town and parish councils across Telford and Wrekin is being shaken up with new governance arrangements put in place in time for elections in May 2027.

One of the authorities involved is Church Aston Parish Council, which is merging with what remains of Chetwynd Aston & Woodcote Parish Council after Station Road is shifted into Newport Town Council’s area.

Councillor Paul Evans, who chairs Church Aston Parish Council, said the first meeting of the shadow council would be held onSeptember 28.

He told a meeting on Monday (September 7) that an informal gathering has been held with borough council officials to discuss items for the first agenda.

The new council’s name will be Church & Chetwynd Aston Parish Council and it will have a total of 10 councillors, seven of them from Church Aston.

Shadow councils across the borough will be tasked with setting the council tax, agreeing assets, balances, reserves, and staffing. Meetings will be held in public with agendas and minutes published.

Shadow council meetings will be held in parallel with ordinary meetings and are tasked with aiding the process of handing over the baton to the newly elected councils which will take over after all out elections in May 2027.