Winchester City Council to consider proposals to create two new parish councils
On Tuesday 17 March, our Licensing and Regulation Committee will consider recommendations which could see the creation of new parish councils for the Winchester town area and Kings Barton.
Over 1400 residents, organisations and businesses responded to our Stage One Community Governance Review consultation, and residents in the Winchester town area and Kings Barton have shown support for creating new parish councils where they live.
Parish councils can take up issues local to the people living in their areas and they can have responsibility for services such as local parks, allotments, events and facilities. Parish councils are also a statutory consultee when considering planning applications in their area.
The seven-week consultation, which closed on 22 December 2025, asked residents if they supported the creation of a parish council, and if so, what area it should cover.
86% of respondents living in the town area agree with the creation of a new parish council for the Winchester town area, which unlike the rest of the district is currently unparished.
Last year’s Stage One consultation also asked residents living in some neighbouring parishes close to the city centre whether they would support changes to their current parish arrangements. Residents in the areas of Badger Farm, Oliver’s Battery and Littleton & Harestock told us that they didn’t support changes to their current parish arrangements- therefore we are not recommending any changes to Badger Farm Parish Council, Oliver’s Battery Parish Council and Littleton & Harestock Parish Council.
However, 57% of respondents living in Kings Barton told us that they’d support the creation of a parish council for Kings Barton, which is currently within the Headbourne Worthy Parish Council area.
Subject to committee approval, we will begin a six-week consultation in May 2026, where residents living in Kings Barton and the Winchester town area once again have their say on how these new councils will be shaped.
You can view the recommendations, the consultation report received from our Public Perspectives, our independent consultant, and find out how to attend next week’s public meeting by visiting: Agenda for Licensing & Regulation Committee on Tuesday, 17th March, 2026, 6.30 pm - Winchester City Council Anyone wishing to attend in person or make a representation need to do so by 5pm on Wednesday 11 March.
Alternatively, you can watch this meeting live via our YouTube channel, by visiting: www.youtube.com/@Winchester_City
For further information on this Community Governance Review, please visit: www.winchester.gov.uk/cgr