ATTEMPTS to give a town status to a South Bucks village may be renewed next year with a parish council now seeking the views of residents.

A vote in September saw plans to turn the status of Gerrards Cross from a village to a town rejected with four councillors voting against the proposal and three voting for the change.

However, the decision can be challenged six months after the original meeting, if councillors feel the need to have a re-vote.

Since the option was dismissed in September, Gerrards Cross Parish Council quashed rumours the decision put an end to the mooted status change and have instead asked residents for their views.

Council chairman Chris Brown, who voted for the change, believes it would make very little difference to the council, but maybe something that would be preferable to residents.

He said: “We had discussed the possible change at the parish council meeting in September and some decided that they did not want to go ahead with the change.

“I was a bit surprised because I thought the move would be quite straightforward.

“The thinking behind the change is it would give a bit of an update to the council and there would be a bit more formality.

“I think it would be a reasonable thing to do to move from a village to a town as we have quite a few thousand people living here.”

One change would see the council have a mayor instead of a chairman, similar to Beaconsfield Town Council.

Cllr Brown added: “We have now opened it up to the residents to have their say on what they would like to do.

“There would be very limited changes, and no difference as far as residents are concerned, apart from some may prefer to be a part of a town as opposed to a village.”

You can let the council know your thoughts on the proposal by visiting www.gerrardscross.gov.uk and posting your view.

The Bucks Free Press also wants to know what you think of the proposal. Have your say by calling 01494 755089 or email andrew.colley@london.newsquest.co.uk