Residents in parts of Ilkeston could see changes to how their areas are governed, as Erewash Borough Council reviews early consultation results on the possible creation of new parish councils.
At a meeting of the council’s General Purposes Committee on Tuesday 3 February, councillors will consider the findings of a pre-consultation survey carried out with residents in Cotmanhay, Kirk Hallam and Shipley View. The survey forms part of a wider Community Governance Review, which is examining whether new parish or town councils should be established in currently unparished parts of Ilkeston.
Parish councils are the most local tier of government and can be responsible for things such as community grants, local facilities, events, and representing residents’ views on planning and local services. They can also raise a small precept through council tax to fund local priorities.
The current report does not make a final decision but presents the survey results to councillors ahead of a formal public consultation later in the process. Any decision to create new parish councils would ultimately require approval by the full council.
What did the survey find?
The pre-consultation survey was carried out in November 2025 and sent to 9,513 households across the three areas. A total of 1,439 responses were received, with 1,409 accepted as valid, giving an overall response rate of 14.8%.
The survey focused on how residents identify their local area, rather than asking for a yes-or-no view on parish councils.
The results showed clear differences between the three communities:
- Shipley View recorded the highest response rate at 20.3%.
Of those who responded, 65% said they live in Shipley View, while 34% said they live in Ilkeston, suggesting a strong local identity. - Kirk Hallam had a response rate of 18%, with 93% of respondents saying they live in Kirk Hallam and just 7% identifying as living in Ilkeston, indicating a very strong sense of separation from Ilkeston.
- Cotmanhay recorded the lowest response rate at 10%.
Here, 70% of respondents said they live in Ilkeston, while 28% said they live in Cotmanhay, suggesting a more mixed local identity.
Council officers say these results will help shape the next stage of the review, including what options should be put to residents during a full consultation.
Boundary changes also proposed
As part of the review, councillors have already agreed to proposed adjustments to some local boundaries to better reflect how communities function on the ground.
These include:
- Expanding the Kirk Hallam boundary to include Kirk Hallam School
- Moving some residents on Heanor Road, north of Ilkeston Community Hospital, from the Shipley View area into the Cotmanhay boundary
Councillors said the changes were intended to align boundaries more closely with how residents identify their neighbourhoods, rather than relying solely on historic boundary lines.
What happens next?
The General Purposes Committee is expected to use the pre-consultation feedback to shape the next stage of the Community Governance Review, which would involve a wider public consultation giving residents another opportunity to comment before any final recommendations are made.
If new parish councils are eventually approved, further work would be needed to decide boundaries, responsibilities, elections and how they would be funded.
Erewash Borough Council says the review supports its aim of being a “modern, customer-focused and progressive council”. Residents affected by the proposals are expected to be kept informed as the review progresses.