Boston Borough Council could be abolished by 2028 – we need your views on creating a Parish/Town Council

Boston Borough Council is urging residents, businesses and organisations to share their views on an important consultation over the future governance of the town.

Boston Borough Council is urging residents, businesses and organisations to share their views on an important consultation over the future governance of the town.

The Government is likely to abolish Boston Borough Council by 2028 due to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) progressing in Greater Lincolnshire. This will leave Boston Town Centre without a local voice unless a parish/town council is formed.

The Council has today (Monday 2 March) launched Stage 2 of a Community Governance Review consultation asking for views on forming a parish/town council for the centre of Boston currently covered by Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC).

A CGR is a formal process that involves consulting with local people and stakeholders about potential changes to local representation.

An additional consultation is also running with households within two areas to the north of the Wyberton parish ward. This consultation is asking those residents for views on whether their area becomes part of Wyberton Parish or part of a new Boston Parish/Town Council, if one is created.

A parish/town council is the most local level of government, focusing on issues that affect the community. 

They can manage community amenities such as parks, public toilets, play areas, manage community events as well as contribute to planning consultations and historic traditions associated with the town.

Boston is one of very few towns in Lincolnshire which currently does not have a parish council.

Feedback from the first part of the CGR consultation which took place in July and August last year, showed support in creating a parish/town council for Boston Town.

At Full Council on 12 January 2026, councillors agreed to start a second stage consultation based on the below recommendations:

• That a single parish of Boston be established for the unparished area of Boston, covering the Boston Town Area Committee footprint.

• That the Wyberton parish boundary be altered to incorporate two small unparished areas south of Boston into the parish of Wyberton (no decision has been made on this).

• That the Council size for the parish of Boston be 22 Councillors, based on national guidance and proportional representation for an electorate of approximately 23,000 (forecast to rise to 25,000 by 2030).

• That the parish of Boston be warded into seven wards aligned with the existing borough ward boundaries to ensure clarity and coterminosity, as follows:

               o   Fenside - three councillors

               o   Skirbeck - five councillors

               o   St Thomas - two councillors

               o   Staniland & Station (combined) - four councillors

               o   Trinity - three councillors

               o   West - two councillors

               o   Witham - three councillors.

• That the first elections for the proposed new and revised electoral arrangements be in May 2027, aligning with the ordinary parish council electoral cycle.

Cllr Mike Gilbert, Deputy Leader and Chairman of the Boston CGR working group, said: "This consultation is crucially important for the future of Boston.

"Due to changes being imposed nationally, Boston Borough Council is unlikely not to exist by 2028 and a new authority to be created covering a larger are of Lincolnshire, depending on the decision made by Government.

"The Community Governance Review, and the creation of a parish/town council, is a way of ensuring local identity remains. A parish/town council represents the interests of local people.

"It is vital that residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders have a say. It is important as any decisions made will affect the future of the town, how very local services are managed, in how we protect long-standing traditions and the history of Boston, as well as how the community is represented.

"The Council is also consulting directly with residents in an area of Wyberton. It is important we seek views on whether those residents want to be represented by Wyberton Parish Council or a new Boston Parish/Town Council if created.

"I urge everyone to have a say and share your views before the consultation closes on May 5th, 2026. No decisions have been made yet, and your views are essential in shaping the decision made by Boston Borough Council while it still exists."

At the end of the consultation, responses will be carefully reviewed and feedback considered alongside legal tests and any alternative options suggested.

Final recommendations will then be prepared and presented to Full Council for decision. If changes are agreed, the Council will make a Reorganisation Order, which is the legal document that brings any changes into effect.

If agreed, a new parish/town council could be established in time for elections in May 2027.

You can read the consultation document and take part in the online survey here: www.boston.gov.uk/CGR

Translation and accessibility services are available through the Recite Me Toolbar on the Boston Borough Council website.

You can also request a paper copy by calling 01205 314591