Town Councils cannot do anything that is not outlined in the Local Government Act 1972, or other relevant Acts of Parliament. If the council attempts to act outside of the remit of these acts it is acting 'ultra vires', 'outside its powers'.

Much of the responsibility for the town, such as highways, planning and streetlighting lies with the principal authority, in our case North Lincolnshire Council. The Town Council can lobby the principal authority to carry out works or provide facility, but has no power to force them to do so.