‘We are facing an existential crisis!’ Plans to create Boston town council alive ‘in principle and spirit’ despite failure of motion

A motion to launch a review into the creation of a town council has failed, but reassurances have been given that it is being considered.

During a meeting of Boston Borough Council on Monday (January 20), Conservative councillor James Cantwell urged members to support his motion to expedite a review following Government announcements of local government reorganisation.

Outlined in the Labour Government's devolution white paper, ministers are looking to restructure two-tier authority areas, like Lincolnshire, with unitary authorities for populations of 500,000.

As district authorities may cease to exist in the near future under this reorganisation, Coun Cantwell suggested that a town council for Boston is needed to ensure the town's key assets, such as the civic regalia, are preserved and not controlled by an authority based elsewhere.

"Since the announcement of local government reorganisation and the move to unitary authorities, Lincolnshire now stands at the dawn of lasting reforms in the way our county will be governed," he said.

"Boston Borough has had a proud and long history.

"Before the current modern council was formed, we have had local government stretching back many years with different organisations at different times.

"Over this time, our council has acquired many assets such as the Guildhall, municipal buildings, our various parks and car parks, the civil regalia, our historical documents as well as much more.

"It is vital that these are protected as they, by right, belong to the people of Boston."

He also outlined that it would be a way to maintain the historic role of the Mayor of Boston.

"The borough has the means, the resources, and the assets to ensure a very viable town council that will be able to support itself going forward," Coun Cantwell added.

"This will ensure that, even though Boston Borough Council will no longer exist, Boston Town Council can take up its mantle and continue the work to improve our town."

The motion quickly gained support from Coun Alison Austin (Ind), who said she had been part of discussions about a town council for several years while serving as a member of the Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC), but had 'always resisted it'.

However, she had since changed her mind, claiming the area's status was 'at threat'.

Coun Mike Gilbert (Blue Revolution) shared a similar view, also outlining that he previously felt a town council unnecessary but now believes otherwise.

He said: "We are now facing an existential crisis. We are very likely to disappear."

Coun Gilbert also insisted that the council needed to act swiftly to start the process and identify what assets the town council should possess.

He added: "If we don’t do this now, we may find that in the future we, as a town, have less of an identity than the parishes that surround us.

"That will be very strange indeed if that were to happen."

However, leader Coun Anne Dorrian responded by saying that her Independent administration would not be supporting the motion, as she felt it was 'putting the cart before the horse' and that they 'want to do it properly'.

She continued: "We need to do things in the right order.

"The first order of business is to draw a draft terms of reference, so we actually know what we’re setting out to do.

"If we do create a town council, and that may well be the outcome, it’s then for that council to decide what assets they are willing to take on.

"They must be willing to undertake the responsibility for those assets, whether they are revenue-making or not."

Coun Dorrian instead promised that she would bring forward a report to the next meeting of the full council that would set out the way forward, concluding: "Please be assured, in principle and spirit, I agree with what you're trying to do, we just want to do it in the right way."