Time to have your say on whether Spalding should have its own Parish/Town council

A consultation has been launched asking for views on whether Spalding should have its own parish/town council.

The Government is proposing to reduce the number of Councils in England by 2028 through Local Government Reorganisation, meaning it is likely South Holland District Council will no longer exist in its current form. Town and parish councils will remain.

Unlike many other towns in Lincolnshire, Spalding currently does not have a parish/town council. Since 1974, local decision making for Spalding has been the responsibility of South Holland District Council.

The Council is now consulting on whether you think Spalding should have its own parish/town council through a Community Governance Review (CGR) - a formal process that involves consulting with local people and stakeholders about potential changes to local governance.

The area under review focusses on the unparished area of Spalding and its boundaries with surrounding parishes in Cowbit, Deeping St Nicholas, Pinchbeck and Weston.

Those residents who are living in the unparished area of Spalding currently pay a Special Expense.  Should a Parish/Town Council be formed those residents would pay a precept to the newly formed Parish/Town Council

The unparished area includes the following district wards:

• Spalding St Johns
• Spalding Wygate
• Spalding Castle
• Spalding Monkshouse
• Spalding St Mary’s
• Spalding St Paul’s

Parish or Town Councils are made up of locally elected representatives and manage such things as community events, advocate for local services, protect community assets, invest in parks, and contribute to planning consultations.

The consultation starts today, Monday 16 February, and responses need to be returned Monday 30 March 2026.

Cllr Dave Ashby, Chairman of the Community Governance Review Working Group at South Holland District Council, said: " This is your opportunity to share whether you would prefer more localised decision-making or are satisfied with the current arrangements.

“With changes to local government impacting district councils like South Holland, a town council would still allow a level of local governance, a voice for the local community and localised decision making.

"Your views are very important and we want to hear from you as we start the first phase of the Community Governance Review. Please do take the time to read the information and share your thoughts with us.

“Whether you are a resident of Spalding, a resident of a neighbouring parish, a business owner or represent a Spalding group or organisation, we want to hear from you on how you would like the unparished area of Spalding to be governed in future years."

All consultation responses will be carefully considered before draft recommendations are made to Council. If the draft recommendations are approved by Council, a second public consultation will then take place.

If agreed, a new Parish or Town Council could be established in time for parish elections in May 2027.

You can find out more on the dedicated website pages, as well as the consultation, here:  https://www.sholland.gov.uk/CGR

Paper copies are also available upon request. Please call 01775  761161.