Plans to merge the small Somerset town of Langport with its neighboring parish, Huish Episcopi, have been revived as part of a renewed public consultation. Langport, which is mostly bordered by Huish Episcopi, has seen its neighboring parish absorb the majority of new housing growth in recent years.
Despite its population remaining stable, Langport Town Council has had to raise council tax rates to unusually high levels to cover services widely used by residents of Huish Episcopi. To address this imbalance, Somerset Council proposed merging the two parishes before the local elections scheduled for May 2027.
Initially, the constitution and governance committee approved the merger in September 2025. However, a last-minute legal challenge by the Huish Episcopi Residents Association halted progress at a full council meeting in May. The council’s legal advisors subsequently determined that a fresh consultation is necessary to legitimize any merger decision.
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Residents now have until August 14 to contribute their views as part of the new consultation, which aims to ensure any changes can be implemented before next year’s local elections. Alyn Jones, the council’s monitoring officer, updated the constitution and governance committee on July 2, saying the original governance review’s statutory period had lapsed, requiring a new review without predetermined conclusions.
Following this consultation, the committee will assess the proposals and decide which options to advance. A second consultation round and a final decision will take place before the pre-election period begins in March 2027.
The July 3 consultation invites residents to consider multiple options: merging into a single new parish, maintaining separate parishes, and the appropriate number of councillors for any new council. It also seeks opinions on ward boundaries adjustments, necessary whether the parishes merge or remain separate.
Councillor Ross Henley, chairing the meeting, emphasized the need for a meticulous and legally sound process. “We need to get this right with a decision that is legal, robust, and properly executed,” he said.
To participate, residents can visit www.somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com/democratic-services/huish-episcopi-and-langport-consultation/ by August 14. Paper copies are available on request from the council.
Council leader Bill Revans highlighted the review’s purpose: “Community governance reviews ensure local governance reflects the communities it serves. We want to hear from as many residents as possible to respect local identities, improve representation, and enable councils to better serve their communities.”
A report summarizing consultation results will be presented at a special committee meeting on September 24.