Kettering Borough Council consults on new town council ahead of unitaries for Northamptonshire
Kettering Borough Council, which is set to be abolished in April 2021 when two unitary authorities are established in Northamptonshire, is consulting on whether a town council should be set up for the town of Kettering.
The borough council began a community governance review, under section 81 of the Local Government and Public Involvement and Health Act 2007, earlier this year.
It said that Kettering town was the only part of the Borough of Kettering which does not have a town or parish council.
The proposed town council would look to:
- Take on the civic leadership role for Kettering
- Carry out a number of representative roles on behalf of the local people
- Possibly undertake other functions as determined by the new unitary council
The borough council has set out the plans in a consultation paper and is asking residents to complete an online survey. The consultation will run for eight weeks, closing on 31 October 2019.
Cllr Russell Roberts, Leader of Kettering Borough Council and Chair of the Local Government Reform Advisory Committee, said: “The council is consulting with residents on whether or not to set up a town council for the town of Kettering. We have a number of questions that we would like to ask residents, workers and businesses and we would strongly encourage people to let us know their views.”
The Kettering area would - along with the districts of Corby, East Northamptonshire and Wellingborough - be covered by the North Northamptonshire unitary. The other unitary for West Northamptonshire will cover the existing districts of Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire.
