Residents asked if they want new parish council

A community governance review for Margate has been launched

Residents in an area of Kent are being asked for their thoughts on the possibility of a new parish council being set up.

A community governance review for Margate has been launched by Thanet District Council (TDC).

The authority said Margate was currently the only town or village in Thanet without a parish council, as all services for the town are provided by either TDC or Kent County Council (KCC).

Parish councils have the power to raise money through local council tax, known as a precept, which pays for the delivery of services including parks and play areas, adding to those provided by the district or county council.

They can also own land and buildings, be consulted on local planning applications, and manage some local public services including grass cutting, street lighting and allotments.

Feedback can be submitted until 17:00 BST on 28 September.

After the survey closes, the findings will be reviewed and TDC will decide whether to create a new parish council.

If the plan goes ahead, detailed proposals will be developed and a second consultation will take place between November 2025 and January 2026.

It is expected that a final decision will be made in March 2026 and if a new parish council is approved, it could be formed in May 2027.