Ansford and Castle Cary could see their parishes merged. Pictures: Google

Ansford and Castle Cary parishes could merge: How to have your say

Paul JonesOctober 21, 20250 Comment0

PEOPLE in Ansford and Castle Cary are being urged to have their say over a proposal to merge the two parishes.

The move would see one new parish created covering both areas, which currently have separate parish councils.

Residents can give their views on the plan as part of a Community Governance Review (CGR), launched by Somerset Council, which oversees governance across the county.

It comes after petitions from local electors requesting the move, with the CGR seeking views from residents to ensure arrangements “reflect the identities and interests of the local community”, as well as being “effective, convenient, and promote community cohesion”.

The review of Castle Cary and Ansford will consider:

Creating, merging, altering, or abolishing parishes.
Naming and styling of any new parish(es).
Electoral arrangements, including the number of councillors, warding, and election years.
Grouping or de-grouping parishes under a common parish council.

The council is seeking views on whether or not local people support the proposal and, as the principal authority, will oversee the review and approve the final recommendations, before the Constitution and Governance Committee considers the matter and refers it to Full Council for a final decision.

The review over a possible merger of Ansford and Castle Cary runs until December 8.

It comes hot on the heels of a previous CGR to consider the merger of Huish Episcopi Parish Council and Langport Town Council to form a new authority.