Three new community councils are set to be created in Clacton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea, and West Clacton and Jaywick Sands – after residents and councillors both backed the idea.

Tendring District Councillors (TDC) voted in favour of establishing the councils at a meeting of the full council last night (Tuesday, 2 June), following two comprehensive consultations.

TDC launched the second phase of the Community Governance Review consultation, which came to an end on 28 February, following strong support in the phase one consultation for creating new town or parish councils for the three areas.

A total of 2,685 residents took part in the second phase of the consultation after more than 3,400 responses were received during the first phase.

Results showed consistently strong backing across all communities. In Clacton on Sea, 85 per cent of respondents said a new parish council would be the right approach. Support was even higher in Holland on Sea, where 93 per cent backed the proposal. In West Clacton and Jaywick Sands, 85 per cent of respondents also agreed that creating a parish council would best represent their community.

Councillors have now backed residents by supporting their call for the establishment of three separate community councils – named Clacton-on-Sea Town Council, Holland-on-Sea Village Council and West Clacton and Jaywick Sands Community Council, and for them to have 25, 15 and 12 councillors respectively.

Councillors also agreed that both Holland-on-Sea Village Council and West Clacton & Jaywick Sands Community Council would be elected on the basis of a single electoral area (the whole parish) but that eight parish wards should be created for Clacton-on-Sea Town Council, based on the existing district council wards.

Councillor Mark Stephenson, Leader of Tendring District Council, said: “This is about making sure local people continue to have a strong say in the decisions that affect their everyday lives.

“Residents told us clearly that they want their communities to have a voice, and these new councils will help keep that local connection at the heart of Clacton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea and West Clacton and Jaywick Sands.

“With TDC set to be replaced by a much larger unitary authority in 2028, having a strong local voice is more important than ever.

“We promised residents they would have their say and be able to shape the details, so their community is represented in the way they want.

“The strength of feeling shown through this consultation has been really encouraging. People care deeply about the future of their local areas, and these new councils will help ensure those communities continue to be heard in the years ahead.”

Now that councillors have backed the move, a formal Community Governance Order will need to be prepared to support a smooth transition toward the new councils being established and councillors elected.

The new councils could come into effect from 1 April 2027 with the first elections of community councillors just over a month later.

Community councils – often known as parish or town councils – can champion local priorities and may deliver services such as parks, events, leisure facilities and community amenities. They are also statutory consultees for planning applications.

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.