SARG encouraging people to seriously consider calling for a town council

IN A recent letter published in the Loughborough Echo, Councillor Max Hunt brought to our attention the opportunity for Loughborough residents to call for a Town Council. His letter read as follows...

“Residents of Loughborough have a rare opportunity this month to call for a Town Council.

A Loughborough Town Council would have control of parks, public areas and other local amenities which make our town special.

Every other town and parish in the borough has such a local council. Our town is alone in not having that power.

It would be a very powerful voice for the town in an increasingly bureaucratic age.

Loughborough, as a town, lost its voice in 1974 when Charnwood was created.

They said that the borough council could speak for Loughborough, but that has not worked out. Various attempts to create forums to represent the town have failed, largely because they had neither status nor power.

Town Planning has been the biggest casualty as individuals are left to argue the case for Loughborough whilst parish or town councils elsewhere in the borough can engage professional advisors to make their case directly to the borough on major decisions.

Whilst the borough would still collect the refuse and do all the borough-wide things, a Loughborough Town Council would run parks and playgrounds which are under increasing pressure, better and more efficiently. It would represent the town on local matters more effectively than isolated voices. It would work more closely with community groups, local businesses and volunteers.

By being more efficient and lighweight, it might also sheild Louhborough services from the huge pressures to cut borough services, particularly our green and recreational areas.

If you would like to support a Loughborough Town Council we have a unique opportunity by asking the Borough Community Governance Review to consider this and bring options forward for further consultation. The consultation closes on 6th October 2017. If you agree please email cgr@charnwood.gov.uk or write to Adrian Ward c/o Community Governance Review, Charnwood Borough Council. (Coun Max Hunt, Loughborough North West)” SARG would like to encourage you all to seriously consider the above, and if you wish to, to take up the opportunity that is available.

Adrian D. Bailey.