Frequently asked questions

Below are some of the frequently asked questions about community governance reviews.

We will update this page with answers to questions we are asked during our review.

The FAQs on this page were last updated on 28 May 2025

What is a Community Governance Review?

A Community Governance Review (CGR) is a way for principal councils (such as Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) to make sure that, at parish level, governance arrangements are working as efficiently and effectively as they should be. This is achieved by asking the public, parish councils and any interested parties whether they feel their communities are suitably represented and whether parish councils would like to see any changes made to their current governance arrangements.

What can a CGR change?

A review may consider one or more of the following options:

• creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes
• the naming of parishes and the style of new parishes including the potential creation of town and parish councils
• the electoral arrangements for parishes (for instance, the ordinary year of elections; council size; the number of councillors to be elected to the council, and parish warding)
• grouping parishes under a common parish council or de-grouping parishes
• other types of local arrangements, including parish meetings

What can a CGR not change?

A review cannot:

• change the number of borough or county councillors
• change borough or county council ward boundaries
• influence or change the amount of money that a parish or town council raises through Council Tax
• change individual parish councillors
• create a unitary authority

How will the review will be carried out?

When assessing suggestions and consultation responses received, we will be required to take into account both the:

• impact of the community governance arrangements on community cohesion
• size, population and boundaries of a local community or parish suggestion

We will also be required to ensure that community governance within the area under review would be:

• reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area; and
• effective and convenient

Any other factors, such as potential council tax precept levels and transferring of assets, cannot be considered as these are consequential issues and would be included in any subsequent Community Governance Reorganisation Order.

What is a parish or town council?

Parish and town councils are not run by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. They are separate elected bodies made up of local people representing the interests of their community.

Is there a difference between a parish and town council?

No, they both have the same statutory powers and can provide the same services. The only differences are that a town council has decided that it should be known as a town council instead of a parish council, and a town council usually has a Mayor.

What does a parish or town council do?

Through an extensive range of discretionary powers, which they can choose to exercise, parish and town councils can provide, maintain and support a variety of important and visible services.

Those services include:

• allotments, parks and open spaces
• bus shelters and community transport schemes
• community centres and leisure facilities
• crime reduction and community safety measures
• festivals, celebrations and tourism activities
• litter bins, street lighting and street cleaning

What are the benefits of having a parish or town council?

Having a parish or town council can significantly benefit a community by enhancing local representation, improving services, and fostering development.

Some of the benefits of having a parish or town council include:

• Community representation - they give residents a stronger voice in local affairs, ensuring their needs and preferences are directly addressed.
• Focused development - they can drive community projects and initiatives tailored to local needs, such as environmental conservation or youth programs.
• Economic advantages - they can attract funding and grants unavailable to larger councils. They can also promote local businesses through initiatives and events, boosting the local economy.
• Improved quality of life - they can work on projects that enhance the quality of life, such as creating green spaces, supporting local sports teams, and organising cultural events.
• Greater accountability - they are closer to their residents, leading to more accountability and transparency in decision-making.

How are parish and town councils funded?

Parish and town councils are funded through a sum of money called a 'precept' – this is a separate charge which is added to, and collected along with, your existing Council Tax. The parish or town council sets its own precept depending on what services and facilities are needed by the local community.

See the what does a parish or town council do? question above for a list of services and facilities that a parish or town council could deliver using its precept.

Would having a parish or town council make a difference to my Council Tax?

Yes, if a new parish or town council is created in your area it will make a difference to your Council Tax. This is because parish and town councils are funded by a precept (as explained above).

Currently, residents in the six unparished areas of Tunbridge Wells pay 'special expenses' for the provision of services and costs incurred by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. As an example, the 2025/26 Band D special expenses charge for Royal Tunbridge Wells is £134.79.

There would be a precept added to your Council Tax. This would be set by the elected councillors of any new parish or town council. As an example, the 2025/26 Band D precept for Paddock Wood Town Council is £235.92.

The table below sets out examples of 2025/26 Band D charges in other areas of Tunbridge Wells where there are special expenses and a precept paid by residents:

At this stage, it is hard to predict the level of any precept for a newly created parish or town council(s) in the unparished areas of Tunbridge Wells.

Is there a 'cap' on the amount a parish or town council can increase its precept by?

No, the Government does not limit the amount a parish or town council can increase its precept by each year. Currently, borough councils are limited to a 3% increase each year and county councils 5%.

Are parish or town councillors paid an allowance?

No, parish and town councillors are not usually paid an allowance but may incur costs which can be reimbursed.

When would the first election to any new parish or town council be?

If created, the first elections to any new parish and/or town council(s) would be in May 2027, with elections held every four years thereafter.

How many councillors would there be on any new parish or town council?

The exact number of councillors that would be elected to any new parish or town council is not yet known. If it is recommended that a new council(s) is created, further details on the number of councillors will be set out in the draft recommendations published later this year.

The legal minimum number of councillors is five. The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) considers this to be inconveniently small and suggests the practical minimum should be seven for an electorate of up to 900. NALC suggests the maximum number of councillors should be 25 for an electorate of 23,000 and above.