We’re calling for Whitburn to be given its own dedicated parish council
A plan to give a South Tyneside village its own parish council has been backed by residents – despite a costs warning by the borough’s top councillor.
Forty people at a gathering of about 60 Whitburn residents voted in favour of the proposal – with 12 going against it – sufficient for backers to officially submit their idea to the borough council, which is now compelled to undertake a feasibility study.
Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum (WNF), which is behind the plan, concedes there are pros and cons but believes it is a positive move overall.
It says a parish council can bid for extra cash for local services, such as for improvements to allotments and parks.
The WNF acknowledges residents may face extra costs in the form of a Council Tax precept, but insists these are likely to be relatively small and far outweighed by the benefits a parish council could bring.
Steve Lavelle, the forum’s vice chair, accepted the precise figure is unknown, but believes South Tyneside Council could provide clarity as part of its consultation.
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South Tyneside Council leader, Cllr Tracey Dixon, attended the village hall meeting and voiced her opposition – saying there were insufficient people present to properly reflect residents’ views and it would be unfair to expect Whitburn householders alone in the borough to cough up the extra cash needed to run a parish council.
The borough council must launch a community governance review once it has received a request from the WNF and examine the feasibility of establishing a parish council and whether it would increase local empowerment.
The process can take up to a year, but Mr Lavelle said it was imperative progress was made as the WNF, a formally designated body established to promote the village’s social, environmental and economic status, is set to cease next year.
Mr Lavelle said he hoped the parish council could take over many of the oversight functions of the WNF in a process of succession and could also go farther, by bringing in funding to improve amenities and enhance the quality of life for residents.
He added: “The question voted on was, ‘Do you want the forum to apply to the council for a community governance review to determine if the voters in Whitburn would like to create a parish council?’
“The council now has to consult all voters in Whitburn. There would be an additional amount to pay as part of the precept.
“This is an area of concern but the benefits a parish council brings would justify what is likely to be a relatively small charge.”
Cllr Dixon said all three Whitburn and Marsden Labour ward members were against the plan.
She added: “I’m not supportive. There are over 4,000 adult residents in Whitburn but just over 60 were at this meeting. I don’t think that’s a true reflection of the whole of the community.
“Subsequently, I don’t think I can support a community governance review or a parish of Whitburn, bearing in mind its additional cost to residents.
“I’m unsure of the benefits of a parish council and the forum has been unable to say how much it would cost.”
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