In January 2018, Winchester City Council consulted local residents on the shape of Parish Council Governance for West of Waterlooville, Denmead, Southwick & Widley areas.

Residents were asked to consider four options including the creation of a new Council for the West of Waterlooville Major Development Area.  More than 600 people responded with 74% supporting the new Parish Council option. 

Options	Total	% of responses
1. No change to current Parish Councils	52	8.6%
2. New Council formed for the Major Development Area	448	74.2%
3. Move all of Major Development Area into Southwick & Widley Parish Council	82	13.6%
4. Move all of Major Development Area into Denmead Parish Council	22	3.6%
	604

In light of this response, Winchester City Council agreed to prepare and publish draft proposals to establish a new Council. This will be formed from parts of the existing Denmead and Southwick & Widley Parish Council areas and include the whole of the West of Waterlooville development and a few neighbouring pockets of land within the City Council boundary. This would accord with the requirements of the relevant legislation to encourage a cohesive and sustainable community with a distinct and recognisable sense of identity.

During March and April 2018, Winchester City Council consulted local residents on specific arrangements for the new council:

• the new council’s style (it could be a Parish, Town, Neighbourhood or Community Council);
• a name for the new council that reflects its geographic location; and
• the new council’s precise boundary. The recommended boundary is shown on the right hand side of the page.

The second consultation generated 32 responses as follows:

Question 1: What style should the new council take?

Options	Total	% of responses
1. A Town Council	2	6.25%
2. A Parish Council	28	87.5%
3. A Neighbourhood Council	0	0%
4. A Community Council	2	6.25%
5. Not answered	0	0%
	32

Question 2: What should the new council be called?

Options	Total	% of responses
1. Eastmead	1	3.1%
2. Newlands	11	34.4%
3. Oakwood	3	9.4%
4. Southmead	1	3.1%
5. Wellingswood	1	3.1%
6. Westwood	6	18.8
7. Other / Not answered	9	21.1
Berewood (6) Berewood & Wellington (1) Eastwick (1)
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Question 3: I think we should vote for members of the new Council:

Options	Total	% of responses
1. From a single list of candidates for the whole parish	22	68.7%
2. From each of the three polling districts within the parish	3	9.4%
3. Don't know / No opinion	7	21.9%
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In light of this response, Winchester City Council's Licensing & Regulation Committee agreed on 14th June 2018 to prepare a draft legal order to establish the new parish council.