Residents in Clacton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea and Jaywick Sands are being invited to have their say over how new town councils could take shape.
Tendring District Council (TDC) has this week launched the second phase of its Community Governance Review, following strong support in the first consultation for creating new town or parish councils for the three areas.
Earlier this year, more than 3,400 responses were received during the initial consultation, with 74 per cent of electors agreeing that the areas should have their own councils. These communities are currently the only ones in Tendring without a town or parish council.
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.
Councillor Mark Stephenson, Leader of Tendring District Council, urged residents to have their say as part of the consultation, which runs from 1 December to 28 February
“Residents have shown strong support for creating new councils – and now it’s time to shape what that looks like,” he said.
“With the possibility of TDC being replaced by a much larger unitary authority on the horizon, having a strong local voice is more important than ever.
“This is a real chance for people to influence the details and make sure your community is represented in the way you want.”
It is expected that a final decision will be made in April or May 2026. Any new councils could potentially come into effect from April 2027.
The second consultation will mirror the successful approach used in the first phase, including online surveys, letters to households, public meetings and targeted engagement with community groups.
Mike Eldred, chairman of the Essex Association of Local Councils (EALC), said: "Creating new town and parish councils is a vital step in strengthening local democracy and giving residents a real voice in shaping their communities.
“The EALC is committed to supporting new councils from the very beginning — offering guidance, training, and resources to help them deliver effective local services.
“We encourage everyone to take part in this consultation and help define how these councils could serve their areas."
Town councils help take up issues local to the people living in their areas and many are responsible for local parks, leisure services, events and facilities. They are also consulted as part of the process for planning applications in the area.
Average Band D homes in the parished areas of Tendring district pay on average just less than £76 per year (which equates to £1.46 per week) for services delivered by town and parish councils locally.
There’s also a lot of information we’ve pulled together for you about the Community Governance Review and Town Councils, including a set of FAQs, at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/community-governance-review.
