High Wycombe should go to town on this

11:43am Friday 11th April 2008

Comments (7)   Have your say »

I HAVE read with interest the letters about forming a town council for High Wycombe. I support the case.

The important thing about town and parish councils is that they are non-political and are formed by local people not candidates, imposed by political parties, who often do not live in the area they represent.

Town and parish councils are a corporate body with a legal existence and an elected tier of local government, who are answerable to local residents, which other local bodies are not.

The chairman is elected and is not the leader of the majority political party.

They are responsible for lots of services and the Government is encouraging town and parish councils to deliver more services and Bucks County Council has an active programme aimed at devolving more services to local people.

The councils look at planning applications from a local view and put forward the concerns of residents.

They are residents' associations, neighbourhood action groups and anything the residents want them to be.

If a problem is not solvable locally then the clerk will know someone who can solve the problem.

The local councils work quietly with district and county councils to improve the services provided to residents.

In Downley, one of our district and county councillors attends meetings and advises residents what is happening at a higher level and is very active in supporting the parish council.

I suggest all residents in the district attend a meeting of their parish council.

I am confident they will find it more rewarding than a shopping experience at Eden.

If you have not got a parish council then attend one nearby and then ask for one to be formed, or ask to have your area join a nearby parish council.

The opportunities are there to be taken.

I can see why Wycombe wants a town council and hope that one is formed in the near future.

Brian Gilbert, Selwood Way, Downley