What is a local council?
“Local council” is the general name used for Parish Councils and Town Councils. They are the most local level of elected government.
So when we talk about Windsor Town Council, think Parish Council – but for Windsor.
A local council is a small elected council representing a town, parish or community.
One type of council, several different names
The terminology can make local government sound far more complicated than it really is.
A Town Council and a Parish Council are the same level of local government.
The name normally reflects the community being represented. A council serving a town can be called a Town Council, while one serving a parish is usually called a Parish Council.
They are separate from larger councils such as the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.
They have their own elected councillors, hold their own meetings, set their own budget and make decisions about the local work and services for which they are responsible.
What makes a local council different?
Its job is to stay close to the community it represents.
It is elected
Residents elect local councillors to represent their community and make decisions on their behalf.
It is very local
Its attention is on the town, parish or community it serves, rather than a large geographical area.
It works alongside larger councils
It does not replace the Borough Council. The two levels of council have different jobs.
Think of local government in layers
Different levels of government deal with different things. A Town Council would add a more local level for Windsor.
Matters such as national taxation, defence, immigration and national laws.
Services including bin collections, planning, housing and social care.
Local representation, community priorities, projects, facilities and services for Windsor.
Windsor Town Council would not replace RBWM. It would be an additional, more local council working alongside it.
RBWM and a Town Council would do different things
Windsor residents would continue to use RBWM for major council services.
The Borough Council
RBWM would continue to provide major services across the borough.
- Bin collections and recycling
- Planning
- Housing
- Adult social care
- Children's services
- Highways and roads
The local council
Its role would be smaller and much more focused on Windsor.
- Representing Windsor residents
- Supporting community groups
- Local projects and improvements
- Community events
- Some local facilities
- Some local services where agreed
This is not a new idea for our borough
There are already Parish and Town Councils across the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.
Communities including Bray, Cookham, Datchet, Old Windsor, Sunningdale and Eton already have this additional level of local representation.
Eton calls its council a Town Council. Others use the name Parish Council. They are the same level of local government.
Large parts of Windsor do not currently have their own Parish or Town Council.
Local people elected by local people
Town and Parish Councillors are elected to represent the people living in their community.
They attend council meetings, listen to residents, help decide local priorities and agree how the council's money is spent.
Town and Parish Councillors generally give their time voluntarily rather than receiving a salary for being a councillor.
If a Windsor Town Council is created, Windsor residents would elect its councillors.