Community Governance Review

What should local councils in Clacton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea and Jaywick Sands look like?

The communities in Clacton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea and Jaywick Sands are exploring whether they should have new town or parish councils – they are the only areas in the Tendring district currently without one.

In the summer of 2025, residents in the three areas told us that now is the right time to create a new parish council/parish councils for them. More than 3,400 responses were received, with 74 per cent of electors agreeing that the areas should have their own councils.  The preferred option among respondents was three separate parish councils; one each for the three communities.

As promised, no final decision has been made on parish councils for the area.  We pledged to come back to you with more detail about what  new parish councils for your communities could look like.

We are working with the Essex Association of Local Councils on the detail as they have a wealth of knowledge about parish councils.  The Community and Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST) is working with us to make sure all voices are heard.

Now underway is a second phase of consultation with residents and stakeholders so that everyone can have their say over how new town councils could take shape.

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TDC’s Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee debated the outcome of the initial consultation at its meeting on Monday, 17 November, following which it approved the second consultation phase with suggestions for separate parishes for the three communities.

The second consultation runs from 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026.

How to take part

We welcome views from residents, businesses, community organisations and local groups.

Take part in the consultation here

The deadline for responses to the second consultation is 28 February 2026.

In response to requests for information from the consultation over the summer of 2025, a set of questions and answers has been published to help you understand what a parish/town council is responsible for, how much it could cost, and the key issues.

Paper copies of the consultation response form are available from Clacton Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 1SP; Tendring District Council Offices, 90 Pier Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1TN; Holland Public Hall, 193 Frinton Road, Holland-on-Sea, CO15 5UR; and Sunspot, Brooklands, Jaywick Sands, CO15 2JE.

About the review - why now?

Community Governance Reviews (CGR) are a process where councils consult on local governance arrangements, including the creation of new parish or town councils.

Clacton, Holland and Jaywick currently do not have parish or town councils. Services for the areas are provided directly by both Tendring District Council and Essex County Council.

District councillors made a decision in November 2024 to consult residents on whether they feel it is time to create a new town or parish councils for the three areas.

Since then, the Government has also launched its Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme, which could see both TDC and ECC replaced by a new council at least three times the size of TDC. Councils like TDC are advised that it would be good practice to consider conducting a review every 10-15 years – except in the case of areas with very low populations when less frequent reviews may be adequate.  

TDC launched the second phase of its Community Governance Review on 1 December 2025, following strong support in the first consultation for creating new town or parish councils for the three areas.

This second consultation sets out detailed options for how new councils could be formed, including:

• Proposed council names and styles – such as Clacton-on-Sea Town Council, Holland-on-Sea Village Council, and West Clacton and Jaywick Sands Town Council,
• Boundary options for each council area,
• Number of councillors for each council,
• Services and responsibilities residents would like these councils to deliver.

Proposed options – you have your say.

Following the initial consultation, the proposed option is to establish three separate councils, each covering a distinct community: Clacton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea, and West Clacton and Jaywick Sands. This approach reflects local identities and interests and ensures arrangements are effective and convenient. The proposed names and styles for these councils are Clacton-on-Sea Town Council, Holland-on-Sea Village Council, and West Clacton and Jaywick Sands Town Council. Although styled as Town or Village Councils, they would have the same powers and responsibilities as parish councils.

Based on national guidance and local advice, the suggested number of councillors for each council is 25 for Clacton-on-Sea, 15 for Holland-on-Sea, and 12 for West Clacton and Jaywick Sands. Elections for Holland-on-Sea and West Clacton and Jaywick Sands would be for the whole council, while Clacton-on-Sea would be divided into wards to ensure fair representation. If Clacton-on-Sea Town Council is created, its parish wards would follow existing District Ward boundaries so that areas remain familiar and local ties are maintained. Maps showing these proposed wards:

For more information on the proposed options, see the consultation document.

What would a town or parish council do?

A town council has the same powers as a parish council. It has elected councillors and works to serve the interests of the local community. It would:

• be a separately elected body of councillors representing the community
• have powers to deliver local services or support initiatives, subject to available resources
• have the ability to raise a precept (an additional amount added to council tax) to fund its activities
• town councils have the power to raise money through the local council tax - the average Council Tax precept for parish/town councils in Tendring in 2025/6 is just less than £76 per year (which equates to £1.46 per week), for services delivered by town and parish councils locally.

For more information on the powers of a Parish or Town Council, view the Terms of Reference‍

What the review can and cannot change

The review may consider one or more of the following options:

• creating parishes (Parish Council can be called Town Councils)
• the naming of parishes and the style of new parishes including the potential creation of town and parish councils
• electoral arrangements for parishes, including the number of councillors
• grouping parishes under a common parish council parishes
• other types of local arrangements, including parish meetings

The review cannot:

• change the number of councillors on Tendring District Council or Essex County Council or the electoral areas that councillors represent.
• influence or change the amount of money that councils or the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner raises through council tax (known as ‘precept’)

How the review will be carried out

When assessing any suggestions from residents and other interested parties, we will be required to take into account both the:

• impact of the community governance arrangements on community cohesion
• size, population and boundaries of a local community or parish suggestion

We will also be required to ensure that community governance within the area under review would be:

• reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area; and
• effective and convenient

Any other factors, such as potential council tax precept levels, cannot be considered.

Have your say on the community governance review

We are seeking views on options  from:

• existing communities, voluntary and interest groups, individuals, local organisations and businesses, local representatives any other interest parties

This is referred to in the timetable as "stage four – consultation on options/draft recommendations". This can be done by:

• visiting our survey page
• attending a public briefing

Public briefings

Details of when public briefings will be held during the second phase of the consultation will be published below.  These are being planned for late January 2026

Timetable for the review

TDC’s Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee approved a revised timetable that would see the second phase of consultation take place from 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026.

It is expected that a final decision would be made in April or May 2026 and that if a new town council was to be approved, it could be formed on 1 April 2027.

We must complete the Community Governance Review within 12 months from when we publish the Terms of Reference.

You can view our timetable below.

The area covered by the review

Notices and documents

You can view or download our notices and documents:

Community Governance Review - Terms of Reference

Decision notice

Frequently asked questions

Respondents to the phase one consultation asked a number of questions.  These have been grouped by category and a summary of those questions have been answered below. Please note, the terms town council and parish council are interchangeable and mean the same thing in these questions.

Cost and Funding

Decision-Making and Powers

Representation and Elections

Impact on Services and Local Issues

Purpose and Timing

Transparency and Consultation

The following were FAQs from the first phase of the consultation