Parish Council Update – February 2026
Elections May 2026
On Thursday 18th December 2025 the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness wrote to Leaders of councils with elections in May 2026 where proposals for reorganisation have been submitted and decisions not yet taken to set out views on the postponement of local elections. These councils have been asked to consider if delaying the election could release essential capacity to deliver LGR in their area to allow reorganisation to progress effectively.
Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) has agreed to ask government that the May 2026 local elections should go ahead as scheduled.
The decision was made at a Special Meeting of Full Council on Wednesday 14 January 2026, following a request from the government for councils involved in local government reorganisation proposals to provide their views on whether elections should be postponed.
While Huntingdonshire is currently preparing for potential changes to local government structures, councillors agreed that holding elections in May 2026 is important to maintain democratic accountability and ensure residents continue to have an active voice in decisions affecting their communities.
Food Waste Collection
Food waste caddies are on their way from 12th January, with weekly collections starting from 30th March. Food waste collection is set out in national legislation and not just a local decision. Councils across England are legally required to collect food waste separately from all households and businesses. The aim is to make recycling easier, more consistent, and available to everyone, no matter where they live.
For more information, please visit: https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bins-waste/food-waste/
Residents will receive their food caddies by 28 March
Public consultation opens on Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire
Residents across Huntingdonshire are being invited to have their say on proposals for Local Government Reorganisation, as a public consultation officially launched on 5 February.
The consultation seeks views on how local councils could be structured in the future to deliver services more effectively and respond to the needs of communities. The proposed changes aim to create a more streamlined, efficient system that supports better decision-making and value for money.
Most members of Huntingdonshire District Council voted for option E as they felt it was the best choice for all of Cambridgeshire and for Huntingdonshire.
The consultation will run until 26 March 2026 and residents can share their views online at: https://consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/cambridgeshire-and-peterborough/
Local Plan to 2046 Update: Preferred Options Consultation
The Preferred Options Draft Local Plan to 2046 consultation closed on 17 December 2025. Comments received from stakeholders and statutory consultees will be processed, and reviewed and further technical evidence will be gathered to inform the Proposed Submission Local Plan
HDC anticipates consulting on this in summer 2026 – For more information, please see our updated webpages. You can view the responses to our Preferred Options draft Local Plan to 2046 and Sustainability Appraisal on our online consultation portal.
Cllr Ian Gardener
Chairman, Grafham Parish Council
The next meeting of the Parish Council is to be held on Tuesday 3rd March 2026, 7:30 pm in the village hall.