What we have learnt elsewhere, regarding the integration of Parish Councils into the unitary authority governance model.

National Association of Local Councils Open Letter (2025)

Supports their expansion in role, responsibility, resources, and representation. The tone is one of readiness for parish councils to step into bigger shoes, especially as devolution deepens.

Local Government Boundary Commission of England Community Governance Review Guidance (2010)

Emphasises the need for governance to be “effective and convenient” and presumes that larger Councils have greater ability to deliver services and manage resources.

“A parish council should be in a position to provide some basic services, and many larger parishes will be able to offer much more to their local communities”

“There may be cases where larger parishes would best suit the needs of the area.”

Local Government Information Unit Analysis: Cornwall & BCP Case Studies:

Cornwall (2009)

• Following the move to a unitary authority, town and parish councils were empowered to take on local assets and services, including public libraries and toilets, as Cornwall Council devolved responsibilities.
• This expanded role strengthened local governance, enabling communities to retain services that would otherwise have been cut or centralised.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) (2019)

• Areas without viable parish councils defaulted to charter trustees, which are unelected and hold only ceremonial responsibilities, lacking power over service delivery or local decisions.
• The absence of a democratic local tier led to resident dissatisfaction, and there has since been a grassroots push to re-establish town and parish councils to restore democratic accountability and local service influence.

The above examples show that larger parish councils have proved effective under unitary systems while smaller or absent councils have left democratic and service delivery gaps.

Milton Keynes Unitary Model

• MK unitary authority appointed dedicated parish liaison officers, held forums, and established clear frameworks, demonstrating that well-structured, larger parish partnerships function effectively under unitary systems.