OFFICIAL plans for Darwen Town Council have been unveiled.
Whether the scheme goes ahead depends on a public vote.
The plans are for 13 town councillors covering five of the area’s seven borough wards. These would have to be elected separately.
It is proposed that two town councillors would be selected each for the Whitehall and Earcroft wards and three councillors each for Marsh House, Sudell and Sunnyhurst wards.
Residents in those wards would have the opportunity to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a town council. The vote could take place on October 16.
The referendum is expected to cost £40,000, £10,000 more than first anticipated.
Around 2,500 signatures were received for a petitions in favour of the move, one collected by For Darwen leader Tony Melia, the other by the Lancashire Telegraph.
A town council is one of the key aims of the Telegraph’s We're Backing Darwen campaign, launched to help revitalise the town.
Darwen Town Council, which would be based in the town hall, would cost a minimum of £7.78 for Band A households, £14 for Band D properties and £28 for those in Band H.
The annual cost of running the town council is put at £100,000 and would give residents a chance to make decisions about highways repair and maintenance, traffic calming and crime prevention, for example.
It would also act as a major lobbying organisation to help bring in investment.
Eccleshill, North Turton, Tockholes and Yates and Pickup Bank, which have parish councils, will not come within the proposed town council’s remit so these residents would not be entitled to vote.
Only those on the electoral register will be allowed to vote – anyone not on the register should contact the council by 5pm on August 6.
Plans for the council and public vote are due to be rubber stamped at the council on Thursday.
Will you vote for a town council in the referendum? Add your comments below.
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