Residents of Guarlford and Madresfield will be asked once again to comment on recommendations for the future of the parish councils in both areas as part of the next stage of a consultation.
The Community Governance Review, held by Malvern Hills District Council, has reached its third stage and will run until 6 October 2026.
So far, respondents have been in favour of Guarlford and Madresfield forming one parish council whilst maintaining the individual identities of each parish and reflecting the different local histories.
Amended draft recommendations have now been published which propose that the parishes of Guarlford and Madresfield are grouped, rather than merged.
Grouping allows the parishes to continue as two separate civil parishes with one shared parish council. This proposal differs from the original draft recommendations which proposed abolishing the existing parishes and merging them to form one parish with one parish council.
This stage of the consultation asks residents, councillors, businesses and local organisations for their views on the following recommendations:
- Recommendation: Group Guarlford Parish Council and Madresfield Parish Council, maintaining two separate civil parishes with one common parish council
- Parish name: Guarlford and Madresfield Parish Council
- Number of Councillors: Eight in total, five representing Guarlford and three representing Madresfield
- Date of first election: Thursday 6 May 2027
Cllr John Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Resources at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We are thankful for the responses we have received so far which have helped shape the proposed recommendations. We are encouraging residents, councillors, businesses and local organisations to take part and have their say”.
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/consultations for more information and to have your say.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any queries.
Date published: 25 August 2026
