A Community Governance Review (CGR) was launched in the summer 2025 to explore whether new town or parish councils should be created for Clacton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea, and Jaywick Sands – the only areas in the district currently without one.
As part of an initial consultation this summer, residents told us that now is the right time to create a new parish council/parish councils across the three areas.
We pledged to come back to you with more detail about what a new parish council for your community could look like.
A second consultation is now underway with residents and stakeholders are now being invited to have their say over how new town councils could take shape.
Community Governance Reviews (CGR) are a process where councils can 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.
If you would like to review all the information available, visit the Community Governance Review page. This page sets out a range of topics including: What would a town council do; What the review can and cannot change; How the review will be carried out; Details of public briefings; and more.
Following the initial consultation, the proposed option (and it is only an 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 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.
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We welcome views from residents, businesses, community organisations and local groups.
Take part in the Community Governance Review consultation Form
The deadline for responses to this second stage of the consultation is 28 February 2026.
A set of questions and answers are available at the bottom of our Community Governance Review page to help you understand what a town council is responsible for and the key issues the review will consider.
Paper copies of the consultation response form are available from Clacton Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 1SP
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.
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