Separate Town Councils ?

[katex]

This is coming up in the Observer ... know have discussed before to a certain extent.

I would like to offer an opinion when we are presented with the forms, but don't know enough about the costs, adminstration, side committees, etc., Would love some feedback from people who understand it all.

More power to the people? - News - Accrington Observer

[shillelagh]

Official website, Whitworth Town Council, Lancashire

That is whitworths town council website - and if you have a look it shows how much is added onto the council tax for having the town council.

I dont know how hyndburn is going to finance it - seeing as i cant get on their website still....

[katex]

Originally Posted by shillelagh

Official website, Whitworth Town Council, Lancashire

That is whitworths town council website - and if you have a look it shows how much is added onto the council tax for having the town council.

I dont know how hyndburn is going to finance it - seeing as i cant get on their website still....

Thanks Shillelagh ... does help. Would like the opposite argument though, does the main council save money by handing over to a Town Council ? Where are we going to find town council members from ?

I can't get onto the HBC site still myself through Internet Explorer and don't understand what Mick was talking about with spyware, etc...

I have to go through Mozilla or Opera to get it ....can look in the meantime here :-

Hyndburn Borough Council Homepage - Tel: +44 (0) 1254 388 111

[shillelagh]

katex it still comes up

Request denied by WatchGuard HTTP proxy.
Reason: IPS matched signature "BLEEDING-EDGE MALWARE Hotbar Spyware User Agent", id='11858'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Method: GET
Host: www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk
Path: /site/index.php

If i see a friend of mine i'll ask him - it might take a while seeing as i dont see him that often. Only normally see him a couple of times a year - normally during the elections.... which it is that time again. Its either that or have a look at rossendales website - i think it is a better website than hyndburns - its easier to navigate...

Rossendale Borough Council Homepage - Tel: 01706 217777

you can also send an email asking them questions .....

[Neil]

Originally Posted by katex

TWhere are we going to find town council members from ?

I think they will just be the ward councillors for the town in question. They will set on both Town and Borough Council. To me it sounds like an extension of the current Area Council system but with more power. Not really sure though so I could be wrong.

Some Parish councils appear to have separate councillors though so maybe that will be the case.

[garinda]

The two weeks the council are giving people to respond doesn't sound very long.

Many people might be away, or in hospital, or whatever.

I think such an important issue should be given more time to gauge people's reactions.

[Neil]

I found this on the link you posted Kate

Town councils have a number of powers including the provision of allotments, cemeteries, bus shelters, community centres, litter bins, open spaces, public buildings, public conveniences and recreation grounds, the repair and maintenance of public footways and the provision of public lighting.

Several of those are currently (mis) managed by LCC. I wonder if they will allow the devolution of things such as street lighting, after all it is only a couple of years ago they took control of our roads back off HBC.

[garinda]

Although H.B.C. currently run a lot of these services, and set the budgets, they are assisted by a whole army of people employed at Scaitcliffe House, such as accountants, auditors, secretaries etc. I presume these people will still be based there, so there will still be centalisation.


The alternative, of a couple of councillors with a cash tin and a cheque book, based in each town/village, is most alarming.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by garinda

Although H.B.C. currently run a lot of these services, and set the budgets, they are assisted by a whole army of people employed at Scaitcliffe House, such as accountants, auditors, secretaries etc. I presume these people will still be based there, so there will still be centalisation.


The alternative, of a couple of councillors with a cash tin and a cheque book, based in each town/village, is most alarming.

I suspect what it means at grass root level is that the local councillors for our town will decide what happens here not all of Hyndburns councillors. I am sure that all the accounting, auditing etc will be done centrally. Why not contact one of your local Councillors and find out? You could ambush them tonight at our meeting, one or both of them almost always attends.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Neil

Why not contact one of your local Councillors and find out? You could ambush them tonight at our meeting, one or both of them almost always attends.

Because, if you must know, I'm struggling to walk today, so that is physically out of the question.

However, like every other person who may not be able to attend various public meetings, mine, as well as other people's input is still as vaild.

Rest assured, if I have any questions before I fill in my questionaire, I'll do so.

[Neil]

Sorry to hear you are not good today mate.
You know where we are if you need anything.

[katex]

Originally Posted by garinda

Rest assured, if I have any questions before I fill in my questionaire, I'll do so.

Suppose we will have to wait and see what facts/figures and impact on our surroundings this could mean. Cllr Britcliffe has stated that there will be information as to what the changes could mean to us all .. I look forward with interest.

Might even apply myself to sit on this Council .. OK .. stop laughing. Looks like the small things in our town (as extract on post from Neil) that may be dealt with which can annoy residents more than the larger picture.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by katex

Suppose we will have to wait and see what facts/figures and impact on our surroundings this could mean. Cllr Britcliffe has stated that there will be information as to what the changes could mean to us all .. I look forward with interest.

According to the article/advertisment in the Observer, it says all forms expressing an opinion have to be returned by the 28th of April.

Quite when anymore information will be forthcoming is unclear.

For such an important thing it seems as if this is being rushed through.

I want the pros and cons in black and white.

It could be a good thing, alternatively it could be a disaster.

[katex]

Originally Posted by garinda

According to the article/advertisment in the Observer, it says all forms expressing an opinion have to be returned by the 28th of April.

Quite when anymore information will be forthcoming is unclear.

For such an important thing it seems as if this is being rushed through.

I want the pros and cons in black and white.

It could be a good thing, alternatively it could be a disaster.

I will echo this post Garinda .. would like to express an opinion, but as stated, can't do that until all the facts and figures are put forward. Cllr Britcliffe states that if they only get 5% of the Electorate returning opinions, would be enough to make a decision... Ugh !!

[garinda]

Originally Posted by katex

I will echo this post Garinda .. would like to express an opinion, but as stated, can't do that until all the facts and figures are put forward. Cllr Britcliffe states that if they only get 5% of the Electorate returning opinions, would be enough to make a decision... Ugh !!

This just smacks of Britcliffe bulldozing through his preferred option, with scant regard to anything else...especially the all important costs.

The people need to know the facts, all the facts, before they can make an informed decision.

Hardly democracy at work.