A Community Governance Review for Margate was launched today, Friday 15 August 2025.
As part of this, Thanet District Council is inviting local people to share their views on setting up a new parish council for Margate.
Feedback is encouraged from Margate residents, businesses, community organisations and local groups, and can be submitted via a short online survey. This is open until 5pm on Sunday 28 September 2025.
Margate is currently the only town or village in Thanet without a parish council. All services for the town are provided by either Thanet District Council or Kent County Council. In July 2025, district councillors agreed to ask residents whether they feel it is time to create a parish council for Margate.
Parish councils have the following features and responsibilities:
- they are made up of elected Councillors who represent the local community
- they have the power to raise money through the local Council Tax, known as a ‘precept’
- the precept pays for the delivery of services like parks and play areas, supplementing those provided by the district or county council
- they can improve quality of life and wellbeing in the local community
Parish councils can own land and buildings. They can also provide or manage certain local public services, such as grass cutting, litter bins, street lighting, parks and playgrounds, community buildings and allotments.
Parish councils are also consulted on local planning applications within their area and can make recommendations, though they do not have the power to make planning decisions.
Cllr Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council, said: “Town and parish councils play a very important role in local government, representing people at the most local level. Margate doesn’t currently have a parish or town council, unlike every other town and village in the district.
“Although the survey is open to all, we’re keen to hear from the people who live, work and own businesses in Margate, whether they feel it is now time to set up a Parish council for the town.”
Further information about the Community Governance Review for Margate, the role of town and district councils, and a link to the survey is available on the website. People are encouraged to review the webpage before completing the survey.
Anyone who is unable to complete the survey online can request a paper form by calling 01843 577000. Paper forms will also be available from Thanet’s Gateway Plus, Cecil Street, Margate CT9 1RE during normal opening hours.
After the survey closes, the findings will be reviewed. Thanet District Council will then decide whether to create a new parish council for Margate.
If the decision is taken to go ahead, detailed proposals will be developed and a second consultation will take place between November 2025 and January 2026. People will be invited to give their feedback on those proposals.
It is expected that a final decision will be made in March 2026 and that if a new parish council were to be approved, it could be formed in May 2027.
