We’re calling for an urgent meeting over the Whitburn Parish Council proposal

Councillors at the South Tyneside Green Party have formally requested that South Tyneside Council hold an Extraordinary Council Meeting to consider a Community Governance Review (CGR) for Whitburn.

The CGR relates to the possibility of establishing a Whitburn Parish Council, which the Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum (WNF) has already voted in favour of.

The WNF has previously conceded that there are pros and cons to creating a parish council but states that if successful, Whitburn would be able to bid for extra cash for local services, such as for improvements to allotments and parks.

Green Party councillors argue that the matter is now time-critical due to the Forum’s redesignation due to end in March 2027.

Cllr Rachael Taylor, the Leader of the South Tyneside Green Party, has stated that residents in Whitburn should be given the chance to have their say on the potential creation of a parish council.

She said: “This extraordinary meeting is about one simple principle which is giving the residents of Whitburn the opportunity to have their say.

“The purpose is not to predetermine any outcome but to allow councillors to discuss whether local people should be able to democratically decide and vote on an important issue affecting their community.

“I strongly support empowering residents to shape the future of the place where they live.

“Ensuring that Whitburn has the chance to make that choice openly and transparently is what matters most.”

The original request for a CGR was made last year and was expected to be considered in October 2025 but it was deferred to allow further engagement with residents.

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With 40 residents at a gathering of around 60 at the WNF voting in favour of pursuing a parish council, it was sufficient for backers to officially submit their plans to South Tyneside Council.

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, has previously said all three Whitburn and Marsden Labour ward members were against the plan.

She commented: “I’m not supportive. There are over 4,000 adult residents in Whitburn but just over 60 were at this meeting. I don’t think that’s a true reflection of the whole of the community.

“Subsequently, I don’t think I can support a community governance review or a parish of Whitburn, bearing in mind its additional cost to residents.

“I’m unsure of the benefits of a parish council and the forum has been unable to say how much it would cost.”

The Green Party has stated that due to the Council meeting schedule and election cycle constraints, the next available ordinary council meeting to consider the matter is not until June.

As a result, Green Party councillors are requesting the extraordinary meeting due tot he believe that the timetable risks “unnecessary delay”.

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