Community Governance Review Consultation
Have your say on the creation of a new Town Council for Welwyn Garden City
In light of Government plans to replace current County Council and District and Borough Councils with unitary authorities, we are exploring whether creating a Town Council for Welwyn Garden City would benefit residents.
The process to establish a new Town Council is called a Community Governance Review and we would like views from residents that live in Welwyn Garden City. Find out more about Community Governance Reviews online.
Whilst the focus of this consultation concerns a new Town Council for Welwyn Garden City, the outcome of any Community Governance Review could result in some changes to existing Parish and Town Councils.
This consultation will run from Monday 20 October until Sunday 30 November 2025.
Background
The Government set out plans for Hertfordshire's 11 district and borough councils, and the county council, to be replaced by new unitary Councils.
More information about these plans for reorganisation can be found on the gov.uk website.
Following a recent consultation with local residents and businesses, Hertfordshire Councils will submit proposals for new unitary Councils to replace the current County Council and District and Borough Councils, including Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.
More information about the proposals can be found on the Shaping Hertfordshire's Future website.
The Government’s plans do not include proposing changes to existing Town and Parish Councils. The Hertfordshire Councils’ proposals for new unitary Councils would also not propose such changes.
We understand that residents of Welwyn Garden City may have views on the proposals, particularly regarding the impact on local representation, and we would like hear from those residents.
The Government is already aware of the need to maintain a strong local voice after the creation of new unitary Councils for Hertfordshire.
On 3 June 2025 the Government confirmed its preference that this is achieved by establishing Neighbourhood Area Committees that would sit within the new Unitary Councils.
These Committees help the new Councils fulfil their goals and commitments to working in partnership with communities at the neighbourhood level and are usually led by the local ward Councillors.
An alternative to Neighbourhood Area Committees is a new Town Council for Welwyn Garden City and we are exploring whether the creation of a new Town Council, at this time, would be in the best interests of residents and supported.
A new Town Council would be independent of the new unitary Councils.
The role of a Town Council is to focus on much more localised activities like organising local events, local community projects and providing allotments although their functions and responsibilities vary.
The National Association of Local Council’s website provides more information on Parish and Town Councils.
Whereas the new unitary Councils would be responsible for things such as infrastructure planning, highways maintenance, adult social care, children’s services, waste, planning, licensing, running elections and Council Tax collection.
A Welwyn Garden City Town Council would cover the area currently defined as Welwyn Garden City as shown in this map of Welwyn Garden City.
Take part in the consultation
To take part in the consultation follow the link below to complete the online survey before Sunday 30 November.
Next steps
Once this initial consultation has closed, we will review all the feedback collected.
We value your feedback which we will balance with all other relevant factors before deciding whether to carry out a Community Governance Review.
In particular, we will be guided by what is in the best interests of the community and meeting local community need.
We will post updates on this page.