Agenda item

(A report by John Medler, Assistant Director – Governance & Monitoring Officer)

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Gilbert, introduced the report and provided an update on the Community Governance Review (CGR) being undertaken in respect of the unparished areas of Boston. The report set out the outcomes of the Stage 1 public consultation, summarised the evidence considered by the Community Governance Review Working Group, and presented the draft recommendations for approval to proceed to Stage 2 consultation.

Members were reminded that the review was being undertaken under Part 4 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, and had been initiated in light of emerging proposals for Local Government Reorganisation, which would result in Boston Borough Council being abolished. It was explained that, in the absence of a parish or town council, the unparished areas of Boston would otherwise be left without a democratically elected tier of community governance.

The Deputy Leader outlined that the Stage 1 consultation, undertaken between 14 July and 26 August 2025, had sought views on whether a parish or town council should be established for Boston, whether any existing parish boundaries should be altered, and how future governance arrangements might best reflect community identity and ensure effective and convenient local government. A total of 126 consultation responses had been received, with a clear majority expressing support for the creation of a single parish council covering the unparished area of Boston.

The draft recommendations approved by the Working Group included the establishment of a single parish of Boston aligned with the current Boston Town Area Committee footprint, limited adjustments to the Wyberton parish boundary to address small unparished areas, a parish council size of 22 councillors, warding arrangements aligned to existing borough wards, and first elections to take place in May 2027.

Members engaged in detailed discussion on the proposed recommendations and the evidence underpinning them.

Broad support was expressed for the principle of ensuring that Boston residents retained a strong local democratic voice, particularly given the scale of change anticipated through Local Government Reorganisation. The importance of safeguarding Boston’s historic identity, civic traditions and assets was emphasised, and it was noted that the establishment of a town or parish council would provide a democratic body capable of holding and managing those assets in the future.

Concerns were expressed about the relatively low number of consultation responses in the context of the size of the town, and Members highlighted the need for the Council to take steps to increase public awareness and participation during the next phase of consultation. It was noted that some residents remained unclear about the implications of Local Government Reorganisation and the potential consequences of inaction, and that clearer messaging would be essential during Stage 2.

Members discussed the legal framework governing community governance reviews, including the statutory tests relating to community identity, effective and convenient local government, and the need to actively consider reasonable alternatives. The importance of ensuring that the process remained open, transparent and evidence?led was highlighted, with Stage 2 consultation recognised as a critical opportunity to test the draft recommendations and address concerns raised.

Specific reference was made to the proposed warding arrangements, including the alignment of parish wards with existing borough ward boundaries to ensure clarity, coterminosity and ease of electoral administration. The proposed merging of certain wards for parish purposes was discussed in the context of achieving fair and proportionate representation, taking into account current and forecast electorate figures.

Members also discussed the proposal to amend the Wyberton parish boundary in order to incorporate small unparished areas, noting the importance of avoiding fragmented governance arrangements and ensuring that all residents were represented by a parish council. It was recognised that further engagement with affected parish councils and residents would be required as part of the next consultation phase.

Overall, while differing views were expressed on aspects of the detail, Council acknowledged that the draft recommendations provided an appropriate basis on which to consult further, and that progressing to Stage 2 was necessary to maintain momentum and meet the statutory timetable for the review.

During the debate, Council formally expressed its condolences to Andy Lamming, Mace Bearer, following the recent death of his wife. Members extended their sympathies and best wishes on behalf of the Council.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Mike Gilbert and seconded by Councillor Dale Broughton.

Resolved:

1.     That the outcomes of the Stage 1 consultation be noted; and

2.     That the draft recommendations of the CGR Working Group for publication and Stage 2 consultation, as listed below, be approved:

·       Establish a single parish of Boston for the unparished area of Boston, covering the Boston Town Area Committee footprint.

·       Alter the Wyberton parish boundary to incorporate two small unparished areas south of Boston (see Appendix 3) into the parish of Wyberton.

·       That the Council size for the parish of Boston be 22 Councillors, based on national guidance and proportional representation for an electorate of approximately 23,000 (forecast to rise to 25,000 by 2030).

·       That the parish of Boston be warded into seven wards (see Appendix 4), aligned with the existing borough ward boundaries to ensure clarity and coterminosity, as follows:

·         That the first elections for the proposed new and revised electoral arrangements be in May 2027, aligning with the ordinary parish council electoral cycle.