Think Parish Council, but for Windsor.
A Windsor Town Council would provide an additional, more local level of representation, similar to the Parish Councils already operating in villages across the Royal Borough.
The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (RBWM) would remain your main council, responsible for major public services.
The proposal is still being considered. The Town Council's exact responsibilities and costs have not yet been agreed.
What is a Town Council?
A Town Council is legally the same type of local authority as a Parish Council.
Many villages across the borough already have Parish Councils looking after local matters and representing their communities.
Windsor does not currently have its own Town Council.
The proposal is to establish one for the currently unparished parts of Windsor.
Residents within its agreed boundaries would elect Town Councillors to represent their communities and make decisions about the council's local responsibilities and budget.
RBWM would continue to provide major services across the borough.
Who would do what?
RBWM and a Town Council would have different roles. The main council would continue providing major services, while a Town Council could take responsibility for suitable local facilities, activities and projects.
Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
RBWM is a unitary authority. It would remain responsible for major services, including:
- Schools and education responsibilities
- Adult and children's social care
- Bin collections and recycling
- Determining planning applications
- Housing responsibilities
- Highways and roads
- Collecting Council Tax
- Other major borough-wide services
Windsor Town Council
A Town Council could undertake local activities and manage suitable facilities, depending on its powers, budget and any agreed transfers.
Examples include:
- Allotments
- Play areas and smaller open spaces
- Community buildings and facilities
- Grants to local organisations
- Community events and activities
- War memorials and other local amenities
- Representing residents on local matters
- Commenting on planning applications, while RBWM makes the planning decision
RBWM would continue to provide major services. A Windsor Town Council would add a more local level of representation and could take responsibility for suitable neighbourhood services and facilities.
What happens in Windsor now?
Unlike many villages in the borough, the areas covered by the proposal do not currently have a Parish or Town Council. RBWM therefore carries out certain local functions in these areas.
Local services are already funded
Residents in the unparished areas of Windsor and Maidenhead pay a special expenses charge through their Council Tax.
This contributes towards specified local services, including recreation grounds, open spaces, allotments, lighting and town centre management.
These services already exist, and the charge is not a Town Council precept.
Who makes decisions now?
Windsor residents already elect Borough Councillors to RBWM.
Decisions about the existing special expenses arrangements are made through RBWM's governance and budget-setting processes.
If a Town Council were established, residents within its boundaries would also elect Town Councillors. Those councillors would determine the Town Council's own budget and priorities within its legal powers.
Are residents already paying for local services?
Yes. Residents in the unparished areas already pay a special expenses charge to RBWM for certain local services. This is different from a Town Council precept.
Per year for a Band D property in the unparished areas of Windsor and Maidenhead.
This is RBWM's existing special expenses charge, not the proposed cost of a Windsor Town Council.
What could change?
If a Town Council takes responsibility for existing services, the associated expenditure and funding arrangements would need to be reviewed.
Any new Town Council would also need to fund its own administration and the activities for which it becomes responsible.
The financial arrangements would need to show what happens to the existing special expenses charge and what residents would pay towards the Town Council.
The final cost to households has not yet been determined.
How would a Town Council be funded?
Town and Parish Councils generally raise money through a precept, which is collected as part of residents' Council Tax. They may also receive other income where they are eligible.
Set a budget
The elected Town Council would agree an annual budget based on its responsibilities, running costs and priorities.
Decide the precept
The council would determine how much needs to be raised through Council Tax after considering other income.
Account for spending
The council would have financial reporting and accountability requirements. Residents could examine its decisions and spending.
Could a Town Council access other funding?
A Town Council could potentially receive income from several sources, subject to the relevant rules and eligibility requirements. None should be regarded as guaranteed.
Community Infrastructure Levy
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge on certain developments.
A proportion of CIL is allocated to neighbourhoods to help address the effects of development.
In unparished areas, RBWM retains this neighbourhood funding and should engage with local communities about how it is spent.
Where there is a Parish or Town Council, the relevant neighbourhood portion is generally paid directly to it, subject to the applicable rules.
Grants and additional income
A Town Council could apply for grant programmes for which it meets the eligibility criteria.
It might also receive income from facilities or activities it is responsible for.
Any funding would depend on the relevant programme, local circumstances and the decisions made by the Town Council.
A Town Council would not automatically qualify for every grant or receive a guaranteed amount of additional funding.
What might a Town Council look like in year one?
If the proposal is approved, the first year would involve establishing the Town Council, setting its budget and confirming its initial responsibilities. The precise arrangements have not yet been agreed.
Elected councillors
Residents would elect Town Councillors to make decisions about the council's activities and priorities.
Establish operations
The council would need appropriate administration, financial arrangements and staffing or other support arrangements.
Confirm responsibilities
The initial services, facilities and activities would need to be identified, along with any funding or transfer agreements.
What could a Town Council look like in ten years?
There is no fixed destination. Future Town Councillors would make decisions about the council's priorities and budget within its powers. These are three illustrative possibilities, not predictions or agreed plans.
A limited local role
The Town Council might retain a relatively small range of responsibilities.
It could focus on local representation, agreed amenities and selected community activities.
More community projects
The council could decide to provide additional support for community groups, events and neighbourhood improvements.
Any new commitments would need suitable funding and a lawful basis.
Additional local facilities
The Town Council might agree to take responsibility for more suitable facilities or local services.
Transfers would require appropriate arrangements for assets, contracts, liabilities and funding.
More local representation for Windsor.
Residents would continue to elect Borough Councillors to RBWM, which would remain responsible for major public services. If a Windsor Town Council is created, eligible residents within its boundaries would also elect Town Councillors to make decisions about its local responsibilities and budget.
Residents vote
Eligible electors choose their Town Councillors at local elections.
Councillors represent
Town Councillors represent their communities and consider local priorities.
Decisions are made
Councillors make decisions about the Town Council's budget and activities at public meetings.
What else should residents know?
Some straightforward answers about the proposal and how a Town Council could work.
Is a Town Council basically the same as a Parish Council?
Yes. Town and Parish Councils are legally the same type of local authority. A Parish Council can adopt the title of Town Council.
Would Windsor Town Council replace RBWM?
No. RBWM would remain the main council, responsible for major services including education, social care, planning and rubbish collection.
A Windsor Town Council would provide an additional, more local level of representation, similar to the Parish Councils already operating elsewhere in the borough.
It would have its own elected councillors and budget, with responsibility for its agreed local services and activities.
Would I still have Borough Councillors?
Yes. Residents would continue to elect Borough Councillors to RBWM.
If the Town Council is established, eligible residents within its boundaries would also elect Town Councillors.
Would Windsor Town Council be part of RBWM?
No. It would be an independently elected council at a more local level of government.
RBWM would remain responsible for major services, while the Town Council would make decisions about its own responsibilities and budget.
The two councils could work together on suitable local matters.
What services would Windsor Town Council provide?
This has not yet been decided.
Town and Parish Councils can undertake a range of local activities, such as maintaining certain open spaces, managing community facilities and supporting local organisations.
Windsor's exact responsibilities would depend on its legal powers, decisions, budget and any agreed transfers.
Are we already paying for a Town Council?
There is currently no Windsor Town Council.
However, residents in the unparished areas already pay an RBWM special expenses charge for certain local services.
This is £42.94 annually for a Band D property in 2026/27.
The future treatment of this charge would need to be considered as part of the financial arrangements for any Town Council.
Would this mean paying twice for the same services?
The financial arrangements have not yet been agreed.
The review needs to identify which existing services might transfer, what they cost and how they would be funded.
Any proposal should explain what happens to the existing special expenses charge and the proposed Town Council precept.
The final impact on household Council Tax bills is not yet known.
Would a Town Council create additional administration?
A Town Council would need administration, financial management and appropriate support to carry out its functions.
Those costs would need to be identified in the financial case.
It would also be important to establish how existing services and expenditure would be treated if responsibilities were transferred from RBWM.
Could a Town Council increase its precept?
Yes. The elected Town Council would set its annual budget and precept.
The amount could change depending on its responsibilities, expenditure and other income.
Town and Parish Council precepts were not subject to the same referendum principles as principal authorities in 2026/27.
Could Windsor Town Council receive CIL funding?
Under the applicable Community Infrastructure Levy rules, Parish and Town Councils receive the relevant neighbourhood portion of CIL from development in their area.
In unparished areas, RBWM currently retains the neighbourhood portion and should engage with the local community about its use.
Any amount received by a future Town Council would depend on development and the applicable rules.
Has Windsor Town Council already been approved?
No. RBWM is undertaking a Community Governance Review.
The current consultation closes on 30 September 2026.
The Council expects to decide whether to establish a Town Council in 2027.
If approved, the first Town Council elections are expected in May 2028.
What is a Community Governance Review?
It is the formal process used to consider changes to parish-level local government arrangements.
This review is considering whether Town Councils should be established in the currently unparished areas of Windsor and Maidenhead.
What happens next?
RBWM is consulting on whether to establish Town Councils in the currently unparished areas of Windsor and Maidenhead.
The consultation closes on 30 September 2026. Responses will inform recommendations before the Council makes its decision.
Information and sources
Information reflects the position on 16 September 2026. Possible future responsibilities are illustrative and have not been agreed.
RBWM Community Governance Review | RBWM Community Governance Review report | Government CIL guidance