It is time for the town to have its own council

IT’S time for Loughborough to get its council back.

Charnwood’s 50 years is indeed a good excuse for a party (Echo 10, April). There will be an excellent exhibition in the library and museum. Remember that Charnwood created that museum, pedestrianised the Market Place, commissioned the Sockman, built the Soar Valley Leisure Centre but only when Loughborough’s councillors were in the driving seat.

Looking back to April 1974 we may have gained Charnwood, but Loughborough lost its own council – the Municipal Borough of Loughborough.

We still have to pay the tax for the town expenses, but it is decided by Charnwood, most of whose members live outside.

Shepshed too lost its council but decided to start a town council. All the other communities in the borough retained their independence in parish or town councils too, but not Loughborough.

That is why I am asking the borough council to seek approval for a Loughborough Town Council. As a dedicated Loughborough councillor, with experience on borough and county councils, I see many advantages for residents:

■ Direct representation in all matters affecting the town including a voice on planning.

■ Local parks and public areas under a town council improved.

■ Full control and scrutiny of the Loughborough Expenses we currently pay.

■ Much reduced overheads or the cost of senior staff.

■ A greater appeal and opportunities for volunteers.

■ A smaller organisation, able to respond quickly, often without the red tape of borough or county.

The benefit of having a town council is that we would still have our 50-year-old borough council and with its job focused on the things they do best. We’ll leave the pomp and ceremony with Charnwood. And of course, we will catch up with Shepshed!

Max Hunt, a Loughborough councillor