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Parish and Town Councils

Asked by Max WilkinsonLiberal DemocratMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 1 September 2025UIN 70238

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether at any stage of the local government reorganisation process she will bar the formation of new (a) town and (b) parish councils.

Answered by Jim McMahon

The formation of new town and parish councils is devolved to principal local authorities through the Community Governance Review process. The government believes that these should remain local decisions.

Areas considering the establishment of new town and parish councils should think carefully about how these might be funded to avoid putting further pressure on local authority finances and/or new burdens on the taxpayer.

We encourage local authorities to consider local neighbourhood working arrangements in their own structures to empower local residents and frontline councillors to work together for positive change in their area.

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