Whitburn is a unique place. Our coastline, countryside, village character and strong community identity are valued by the people who live here. A parish council would give Whitburn its own dedicated local voice, representing our community, protecting what makes our village unique and helping shape its future.
A public meeting to discuss the next steps in the review into the possibility of establishing a parish council for Whitburn:
Monday 17 August 2026 at 7.30pm, Church Hall, Sandy Chare
Please note the meeting is a discussion only, no voting will take place. The Council will consult with residents over the next few months.
Monday 17 August 2026 at 7.30pm, Church Hall, Sandy Chare
Please note the meeting is a discussion only, no voting will take place. The Council will consult with residents over the next few months.
What is a Parish Council?
A parish council is the first tier of local government in England. It is a democratically elected body made up of local people who represent their community and focus on the issues that matter most to residents.
A parish council would not replace South Tyneside Council. Major services such as education, highways, waste collection and social care would continue to be provided by the borough council. Instead, a parish council provides an additional local voice that exists solely to represent Whitburn.
A parish council would ensure Whitburn has a permanent organisation dedicated to Whitburn alone.
A parish council would not replace South Tyneside Council. Major services such as education, highways, waste collection and social care would continue to be provided by the borough council. Instead, a parish council provides an additional local voice that exists solely to represent Whitburn.
A parish council would ensure Whitburn has a permanent organisation dedicated to Whitburn alone.
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Parish councils across the country help communities by:
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Why now?
The Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum has achieved much, including creating the adopted Neighbourhood Plan and giving residents a stronger voice in planning matters. A parish council would build on that success.
The Forum has a specific purpose and it cannot tackle all of the issues that residents have been raising. It has very little funding that does not cover all the running costs. It is not a permanent body. A parish council would provide a lasting democratic voice, dedicated local funding and a wider role supporting the community.
The Forum has a specific purpose and it cannot tackle all of the issues that residents have been raising. It has very little funding that does not cover all the running costs. It is not a permanent body. A parish council would provide a lasting democratic voice, dedicated local funding and a wider role supporting the community.
What is a Community Governance Review (CGR)?
A Community Governance Review (CGR) is the formal process that allows residents to ask South Tyneside Council to consider changes to local governance arrangements. One possible outcome of a CGR is the creation of a new parish council.
The process allows the community to have its say on whether Whitburn would benefit from having its own local democratic council.
The process allows the community to have its say on whether Whitburn would benefit from having its own local democratic council.
What could a Parish Council do for Whitburn?
South Tyneside Council has to balance the needs and priorities of multiple areas across the borough. A parish council would exist only to represent Whitburn, ensuring that our village has a dedicated voice focused on the issues that matter to local people.
Protecting our green spaces and village character
Whitburn’s identity comes from its unique combination of coastline, Green Belt, countryside, historic village character, community spaces and natural environment.
These valued assets face increasing pressures from development. A parish council would provide a dedicated organisation able to champion and protect our local spaces and assets.
A parish council would also have a stronger formal role in planning matters than a Neighbourhood Forum. It would be a recognised statutory consultee on planning applications and could have opportunities to engage with developers at an earlier stage, including during pre-application discussions. Pre-application discussions take place before a planning application is submitted. Being involved earlier provides greater opportunity to raise local concerns, influence proposals and seek contributions from developers that benefit Whitburn.
A parish council would help ensure Whitburn’s voice is heard before decisions are made, not just after proposals have been submitted.
Protecting our green spaces and village character
Whitburn’s identity comes from its unique combination of coastline, Green Belt, countryside, historic village character, community spaces and natural environment.
These valued assets face increasing pressures from development. A parish council would provide a dedicated organisation able to champion and protect our local spaces and assets.
A parish council would also have a stronger formal role in planning matters than a Neighbourhood Forum. It would be a recognised statutory consultee on planning applications and could have opportunities to engage with developers at an earlier stage, including during pre-application discussions. Pre-application discussions take place before a planning application is submitted. Being involved earlier provides greater opportunity to raise local concerns, influence proposals and seek contributions from developers that benefit Whitburn.
A parish council would help ensure Whitburn’s voice is heard before decisions are made, not just after proposals have been submitted.
Funding dedicated to Whitburn
A parish council would have its own local funding stream, known as a precept. This funding would be raised locally and spent locally on priorities chosen by the parish council. Parish councils can also apply for external funding streams, such as the National Lottery.
A Parish Council can request and utilise money generated by development in Whitburn, for instance section 106 funds and community infrastructure levy funds.
A parish council would have its own local funding stream, known as a precept. This funding would be raised locally and spent locally on priorities chosen by the parish council. Parish councils can also apply for external funding streams, such as the National Lottery.
A Parish Council can request and utilise money generated by development in Whitburn, for instance section 106 funds and community infrastructure levy funds.
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Funding raised for Whitburn would be used exclusively for Whitburn.
It could support:
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Raising local issues early
A parish council would provide a local organisation able to identify and raise issues early, helping resolve problems before they become larger, more costly or more difficult to address. A parish council would also be a statutory consultee on matters such as licensing and traffic management applications, helping ensure decisions take account of Whitburn’s needs.
Voluntary Group & Emergency Coordination
A Parish Council provides a central, legally recognised hub to coordinate local volunteers, charities, and community groups. It will also serve as a central point of contact for emergency planning, providing localised advice and assistance during critical incidents.
Protecting our Neighbourhood Plan
Whitburn’s Neighbourhood Plan was created by local people and sets out the community’s vision for the future. It includes important protections for local green spaces, requirements to ensure new proposals for development properly assess local impacts, and standards for design and nature. A parish council would provide a stronger ongoing role in ensuring these locally agreed priorities continue to be considered when decisions are made.
A lasting voice for Whitburn
A parish council would create a permanent democratic structure that allows local people to have a greater say in the future of the village. It would be apolitical and community-focused, representing all residents of Whitburn and working to support the issues that matter locally.
Unlike temporary groups, a parish council would provide a lasting voice for generations to come, ensuring Whitburn’s priorities continue to be heard, understood and represented.
A parish council would provide a local organisation able to identify and raise issues early, helping resolve problems before they become larger, more costly or more difficult to address. A parish council would also be a statutory consultee on matters such as licensing and traffic management applications, helping ensure decisions take account of Whitburn’s needs.
Voluntary Group & Emergency Coordination
A Parish Council provides a central, legally recognised hub to coordinate local volunteers, charities, and community groups. It will also serve as a central point of contact for emergency planning, providing localised advice and assistance during critical incidents.
Protecting our Neighbourhood Plan
Whitburn’s Neighbourhood Plan was created by local people and sets out the community’s vision for the future. It includes important protections for local green spaces, requirements to ensure new proposals for development properly assess local impacts, and standards for design and nature. A parish council would provide a stronger ongoing role in ensuring these locally agreed priorities continue to be considered when decisions are made.
A lasting voice for Whitburn
A parish council would create a permanent democratic structure that allows local people to have a greater say in the future of the village. It would be apolitical and community-focused, representing all residents of Whitburn and working to support the issues that matter locally.
Unlike temporary groups, a parish council would provide a lasting voice for generations to come, ensuring Whitburn’s priorities continue to be heard, understood and represented.
What happens next?
South Tyneside Council’s Cabinet will consider the Community Governance Review (CGR) at its meeting on 30 July.
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The Council is required to undertake the review following a formal application from the Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. The CGR process must be completed by January 2027.
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Once the CGR is approved by the cabinet, residents will have the opportunity over the next few months to share their views on whether Whitburn should have its own parish council. South Tyneside Council will gather these views before making a final decision on whether a parish council should be established.
We encourage all Whitburn residents to take part and share their views with the Council. If you have any questions about the proposal or the CGR process, please get in touch with the Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum.
We encourage all Whitburn residents to take part and share their views with the Council. If you have any questions about the proposal or the CGR process, please get in touch with the Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Would a parish council replace South Tyneside Council?
No. South Tyneside Council would continue to provide major services such as education, highways, waste collection and social care. A parish council would provide an additional local voice and focus on community priorities.
Would this mean more development in Whitburn?
No. A parish council does not decide housing numbers or planning policy. However, it would give Whitburn a stronger formal role in commenting on planning proposals and representing residents’ views.
Would everyone in Whitburn pay more?
A parish council is funded through a small local charge called a precept, which is collected through Council Tax. The Community Governance Review will help determine the details of the parish council, including the level of funding needed to support its work.
With around 2,500 households in Whitburn, even a small contribution from each household could create a meaningful fund to support projects, protect local assets and improve the places that matter to our community.
This is not an extra tax heading off to South Shields; it would be a local contribution, ring-fenced to be spent on priorities for Whitburn.
Crucially, it also allows the Parish Council to apply for major external grants, like the National Lottery, that the voluntary groups, such as the neighbourhood forum, cannot access.
Who would run the parish council?
Local residents would elect parish councillors. These councillors would represent Whitburn and make decisions openly and democratically. The parish councillors would be volunteers and would not represent any political party.
Why can’t the Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum just keep running?
Neighbourhood forums are voluntary groups with rigid legal lifespan limits. Our current forum designation is due to expire in March 2027. The Forum also does not have the funding or powers to address many of the issues we hear from residents. A parish council would provide a permanent democratic structure with wider responsibilities, dedicated funding and the ability to support local priorities beyond neighbourhood planning.
How will this help us fight developments like Mill Lane?
As a statutory body, a Parish Council is a formal, legal consultee on all planning applications. It would provide a permanent local organisation able to represent residents’ views, scrutinise proposals and ensure Whitburn’s priorities are properly considered. It will have the dedicated resources and legal standing to hire independent experts to scrutinise, challenge, and fight major developers, prioritising our village character over Borough-wide building targets.
Is this just another layer of politicians?
No. Parish councillors are almost exclusively local residents who volunteer their time. They are completely apolitical, belonging to no political parties. Their focus would be on local issues and priorities. Councillors would be accountable to Whitburn residents and would work to represent the interests of the whole community.
Who decides if we get a Parish Council?
You do. The decision is made through the Community Governance Review process by South Tyneside Council. Residents will have the opportunity to share their views during the consultation. The Council must consider the views of the community and make a final decision on whether a parish council should be established. If the overwhelming majority of Whitburn residents demand a Parish Council, the Borough council has a democratic duty to grant it.
No. South Tyneside Council would continue to provide major services such as education, highways, waste collection and social care. A parish council would provide an additional local voice and focus on community priorities.
Would this mean more development in Whitburn?
No. A parish council does not decide housing numbers or planning policy. However, it would give Whitburn a stronger formal role in commenting on planning proposals and representing residents’ views.
Would everyone in Whitburn pay more?
A parish council is funded through a small local charge called a precept, which is collected through Council Tax. The Community Governance Review will help determine the details of the parish council, including the level of funding needed to support its work.
With around 2,500 households in Whitburn, even a small contribution from each household could create a meaningful fund to support projects, protect local assets and improve the places that matter to our community.
This is not an extra tax heading off to South Shields; it would be a local contribution, ring-fenced to be spent on priorities for Whitburn.
Crucially, it also allows the Parish Council to apply for major external grants, like the National Lottery, that the voluntary groups, such as the neighbourhood forum, cannot access.
Who would run the parish council?
Local residents would elect parish councillors. These councillors would represent Whitburn and make decisions openly and democratically. The parish councillors would be volunteers and would not represent any political party.
Why can’t the Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum just keep running?
Neighbourhood forums are voluntary groups with rigid legal lifespan limits. Our current forum designation is due to expire in March 2027. The Forum also does not have the funding or powers to address many of the issues we hear from residents. A parish council would provide a permanent democratic structure with wider responsibilities, dedicated funding and the ability to support local priorities beyond neighbourhood planning.
How will this help us fight developments like Mill Lane?
As a statutory body, a Parish Council is a formal, legal consultee on all planning applications. It would provide a permanent local organisation able to represent residents’ views, scrutinise proposals and ensure Whitburn’s priorities are properly considered. It will have the dedicated resources and legal standing to hire independent experts to scrutinise, challenge, and fight major developers, prioritising our village character over Borough-wide building targets.
Is this just another layer of politicians?
No. Parish councillors are almost exclusively local residents who volunteer their time. They are completely apolitical, belonging to no political parties. Their focus would be on local issues and priorities. Councillors would be accountable to Whitburn residents and would work to represent the interests of the whole community.
Who decides if we get a Parish Council?
You do. The decision is made through the Community Governance Review process by South Tyneside Council. Residents will have the opportunity to share their views during the consultation. The Council must consider the views of the community and make a final decision on whether a parish council should be established. If the overwhelming majority of Whitburn residents demand a Parish Council, the Borough council has a democratic duty to grant it.
