The deadline for you to have your say on creating a Parish/Town Council for Boston is fast approaching – have you say now on how you want to be represented locally in future years.

Boston Borough Council thanks residents, businesses and organisations who have taken the time to respond so far. If you have not responded to the consultation yet and want to have a say, you must do so by Tuesday 5 May, 2026.

The Government is likely to abolish Boston Borough Council by 2028 due to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) progressing in Greater Lincolnshire. This will leave Boston Town Centre without a local voice unless a parish/town council is formed.

A parish/town council is the most local level of government, focusing on issues that affect the community. They will not be abolished through LGR.

Boston is one of very few towns in Lincolnshire which currently does not have a parish council. Without one, Boston residents will not get the same local representation as people who live in neighbouring parishes. There is also the fact that a body to promote and sustain Boston’s heritage and secure the ancient role of Mayor will disappear.

Parish/Town councils can manage local facilities such as parks, public toilets, play areas, organise community events as well as contribute to planning consultations and historic traditions associated with the town.

The Council is carrying out a Community Governance Review, a formal process that involves consulting with local people and stakeholders about potential changes to local representation.

Cllr Mike Gilbert, Deputy Leader and Chairman of the Boston CGR working group, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to have a say in this important process. Getting as many views as possible is vitally important because the decision will affect local people long after the Borough Council ceases to exist.

“The Council has written to every household within the unparished area with a consultation document. We have provided a Freepost address for you to send back your views to us. If you are yet to fill yours in, I urge you to do this as soon as possible so that we get responses back to us through the post ahead of the consultation deadline.

“You can also take part online by visiting www.boston.gov.uk/CGR or look out for the flyers around the town centre. You can scan the QR code with your smartphone and it will take you straight to the online survey. We will also be at Boston Market on Wednesday 22 April so please do stop by, have a chat with us and take part in the consultation.

“Forming a parish/town council is the only way to ensure local people are represented after the Borough Council is abolished through Local Government Reorganisation.

“Please do share your views before the consultation closes on May 5th, 2026. No decisions have been made yet, so your views are vital to help with the decision the Council has to make.”

As well as the main consultation for the town centre, additional engagement is also taking place within two areas to the north of the Wyberton parish ward. This consultation is asking those residents for views on whether their area becomes part of Wyberton Parish or part of a new Boston Parish/Town Council, if one is created.

The second stage consultation is based on the below recommendations:

• That a single parish of Boston be established for the unparished area of Boston, covering the Boston Town Area Committee footprint.
• That the Wyberton parish boundary be altered to incorporate two small unparished areas south of Boston into the parish of Wyberton (no decision has been made on this).
• 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 aligned with the existing borough ward boundaries to ensure clarity and coterminosity, as follows:

o   Fenside – three councillors

o   Skirbeck – five councillors

o   St Thomas – two councillors

o   Staniland & Station (combined) – four councillors

o   Trinity – three councillors

o   West – two councillors

o   Witham – three councillors.

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

When the consultation closes, responses will be carefully reviewed alongside legal tests and any alternative options suggested.

Final recommendations will then be prepared and presented to Full Council for decision. If changes are agreed, the Council will make a Reorganisation Order, which is the legal document that brings any changes into effect.

If agreed, a new parish/town council could be established in time for elections in May 2027.

You can read the consultation document and take part in the online survey here: www.boston.gov.uk/CGR

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