Let’s look at history. When did parish councils begin? (with the help of AI)
Elected parish councils were formally established in England and Wales by the Local Government Act 1894, which took effect in December 1894. They were created to take over non-religious, civic functions from the church vestries.
- The 1894 Act officially separated secular civil duties from the Church of England, allowing elected councils to manage village affairs.
- Prior to 1894, local administration was handled by the parish vestry (often run by church officials) and the Lord of the Manor, dating back to a system originating in the 8th century.
- Modern parish councils are largely governed by the Local Government Act 1972, which updated their role and allowed some to become town or community councils.
At the time of the 1974 reorganisation, a Windsor Town Council was not formed because the functions of the old Municipal Borough of New Windsor were absorbed directly into the larger Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Under the Local Government Act 1972, many large urban areas became “unparished,” meaning they were governed solely by the district-level borough council without a lower tier of parish or town representation.
The 1972 Act aimed for efficiency by reducing the number of local authorities. In many cases, it was decided that the new Borough Council would provide all local services for the town centres, making a separate town council seem “unnecessary” or a duplication of governance.
To my way of thinking, adding an unnecessary level of Government would be pointless. (using my noodle)
The Borough can put in place large contracts to maintain the highways, parks and bins. In 1894 those cleaning up the horse manure, coal ash and mud would likely have been local men using horse and cart. In 2026 there are far fewer men doing this work, using very expensive trucks and so running these services at parish or town level doesn’t make economic sense.
What Parish and Town Councils should be doing is improving the lives of their residents, not worrying about the day to day management of services.
The Borough Council have spent years cutting costs and much of this has impacted local communities, with much of the local funding for community groups being cancelled. The Lottery Fund being expected to pick up some of this slack!
My own anecdotal research reinforces the fact that those who are generally the most generous at community fundraisers, those with the least to give, are now so financially strapped there is no more they can give. It therefore falls to town and parish councils to ensure those in real need are looked after.
Town Councils can access S137 Funding to help their communities. This has to be channelled through community groups, creating a multi-tiered approach to helping residents, ensuring any funding ultimately reaches those most in need. Minimising potential abuse and funding falling into the wrong hands.
Borough Councils can’t do this, ONLY town and parish councils have the legal power to raise money in this way.
S137 funding allows the town council to add £11.60 per elector to the precept. Adding circa £20, or around 1% to the overall council tax bill, creating a significant fund for the council to share out to local community groups, maximising local impact.
That’s the main reason I see for creating a new town or parish council.
If you agree, please sign the petition as it shows residents feelings about the matter and will be used as part of the evidence base.
Thank you.
Jon Davey
Community Champion
