Have your say on the creation of a new parish council for Welwyn Garden City

What is a parish or town council?

A parish council would be run independently of the new unitary councils.

A parish council, once set up, can choose to call itself town council.

The role of a parish council is to focus on local activities such as organising and running local:

• events
• community projects
• allotments
• parks and play areas.

This would be different to the new unitary councils who would be responsible for:

• infrastructure planning and highways maintenance
• adult social care and children’s services
• waste
• planning
• licensing
• running elections
• Council Tax collection.  

Find out more about what a parish council does on the National Association of Local Councils website.

What is a Neighbourhood Area Committee?

The government have suggested that Neighbourhood Area Committees could be set up support the new Unitary authorities working at a neighbourhood level.

A Neighbourhood Area Committee might include:

• elected councillors
• partners from health, police, fire and rescue, education and business
• community representatives.

Their aim is to create opportunities to collaborate and gather information for towns and villages.

A Neighbourhood Area Committee could be used to engage with Welwyn Garden City residents on how to represent their community.

How are town and parish councils funded?

Town and parish councils do not receive funding from the government to support their activities.

Instead they can be funded through Council Tax and income from fees and charges for council services, and also from the Community Infrastructure Levy.

A new parish council for Welwyn Garden City would decide how much funding they need to raise from Council Tax each year in order to provide services and facilities for the benefit of the community.

It is not possible yet to decide how much this charge will be as it will be based on the size and functions of the new council. Currently the Council Tax charged by other town and parish councils in Welwyn Hatfield ranges from £12.14 and £181.71 for a band D property in 2026/27.

This cost would be added to, and collected with, Council Tax through an additional payment called a precept. This is paid by Council Tax payers in the area covered by the parish council.

If assets (such as community centres and parks) were transferred from the Borough Council to a new parish council this may reduce the Special Expenses charges currently paid by residents of Welwyn Garden City.

Will I see any changes to services when Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is abolished?

No, residents should not see any changes to their services or use and enjoyment of Council assets or the management of the Council’s housing stock.

The new unitary Council will take over the services, functions and responsibilities of the Council and the Council is already planning for this.

The Council is working with all Councils in Hertfordshire on the transition and the needs and best interests of residents remain our priority.