THE final hurdle in the creation of a new Nythe Parish Council has been passed with the Boundary Commission giving approval to the plans.

A process that will see the election of seven councillors in May next year will now start.

It is hoped the new council will lead to residents in the new area of about 1,100 houses seeing a noticeable reduction in council tax bills.

Later in the month paperwork will be published outlining the plans. In the meantime ward councillors Dale Heenan, Richard Hurley and Kevin Parry will form a shadow council.

Between now and May they will draw up budgets to establish areas of spending for the new financial year.

Coun Heenan said: “Parish councils are very important in that they represent communities and give local people a real say on issues which affect them.

“The formation will mean the community of Nythe is given full recognition. We will now work as a shadow parish to work on budgets for next year and we are aiming for people to see a reduction of between £40 and £50 on their council tax bills.

“This is a great opportunity for the people of Nythe to have a say, and I and the ward councillors will be working to raise awareness.”

Nythe will be the first new parish council for more than 30 years, while May’s elections will be the first competitive elections of that nature in the area since 1997.

Residents currently fall under Stratton Parish Council. Costs will be saved through reduced costs, such as that for a council clerk.

“During July the council will be publishing all of the legal documents around the formation of the council so the first elections can be held in May,” said Coun Heenan.

“We [ward councillors acting as a shadow council] will consult with residents to get their opinions on what they would like to see before the elections, which we hope will be non-political.”

The change is part of Swindon Council’s community governance review, which aims to ensure every parish council or meeting reflects the identities and interests of the community.