“We're thrilled" - South Tyneside villagers back parish council plan in first-round consultation
“We are thrilled that 70% of the community shares our vision for an independent parish council to safeguard Whitburn’s identity.”
Residents in a South Tyneside village have given early backing to a plan to give them people power by establishing a parish council.
.jpeg?trim=13,0,14,0&crop=&width=640&quality=65)
Whitburn householders supported the proposed scheme in a first-round consultation by more than two-to-one – though only eight per cent of those eligible took part.
Council chiefs describe the turnout rate as ‘low’ but confirmed it showed sufficient evidence of genuine local identity and support for the project.
Backers say parish council status would increase local democratic accountability and give residents a stronger voice, including around housebuilding.
The consultation, carried out as part of a Community Governance Review by South Tyneside Council, saw 352 responses.
It showed 69.89 percent of respondents in favour of a parish council and 30.11 percent against.
A second consultation has begun and runs until Monday, November 23, with final recommendations expected in January.
Despite favourable progress, the Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum, which is behind the bid, expressed concern around the date a parish council may hold its first election of councillors.
Chair Phil Leaf said he was worried it may not happen until May 2028, by which time the forum would no longer exist.
It was established in 2017 as a formally designated body to promote Whitburn’s social, environmental and economic status, but expires in March.
He believes the 14-month gap could leave Whitburn vulnerable to ‘predatory housing developers’.
Mr Leaf said: “We are thrilled that 70% of the community shares our vision for an independent parish council to safeguard Whitburn’s identity.
“However, leaving the timeline for the first elections entirely open-ended is a massive worry.
“Without a firm date, we face an unacceptable governance gap that could leave our village stripped of its statutory planning voice for an indefinite period, leaving Whitburn completely vulnerable to predatory housing developers.
“We are calling for a definitive commitment to hold the first parish elections in May 2027 to align with the borough elections.”
Mr Leaf is also concerned an additional financial precept to fund a parish council, to be paid only by village householders, had not been costed by the council.
He warned that had left some residents “in the dark”, creating unnecessary worry.
The forum’s own estimates show a precept of £25 a year per household - around £2 a month – which it claims could generate between £55,000 to £60,000 in revenue.
South Tyneside Council said the Community Governance Review was still underway, making it too early to draw any conclusions.
A spokesperson added: “If a parish council is approved, the statutory Reorganisation Order would set out when the new arrangements take effect and any arrangements needed before the first election.
“May 2028 is a possible date for the first election, but it is too early to confirm this.
“Any planning applications in Whitburn would continue to be considered through the normal planning process, regardless of the timetable for establishing a parish council.
“It is too early to give an accurate figure for any parish precept, which would be an extra charge on Council Tax bills for households within the proposed parish area.
“The amount would depend on the new parish council’s budget, its agreed responsibilities, and the services it chooses to provide.”