Should Potters Bar have its own parish council?

Moves have been made to establish a town council for Potters Bar after a petition gained 1,891 signatures in support. But what does that mean for you if you live there?

Town and parish councils have legal powers that can have a huge impact on the community in which you live and are the first tier of local government.

They give residents more say and control over the way public services are delivered to them and the opportunity to get involved in the issues and services which are important to them.

Councillors would be elected and there would be a cost implication - it is difficult to say exactly how much because it would depend on what budget a new parish decided to set. However estimates, based on similar sized parish/town councils, would mean that an average household could expect to pay on around £32 extra a year on their council tax.

Town councils tend to look after a range of services including, maintenance of grass verges, playgrounds, community centres, village fetes, Christmas lights and farmers markets as well as running youth councils, providing services for older people in your community, such as arranging transport to supermarkets, and protecting local bus routes.

The petition in support of the parish council was officially handed over to Hertsmere Borough Council earlier this month but it is important to get views of all the local community so that the borough council can consider it fully.

Sue Hardy, acting Democratic Services Manager, said: "The current legislation requires the council to make recommendations to the Secretary of State, within three months of receiving the petition, on whether or not it supports it and we are working in partnership with Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils on this issue.

"There are more than 16,000 people living in Potters Bar so we want to know how they feel about a Potters Bar parish council. Once we get views from Potters Bar residents the council can then fully consider the issue."

The boundaries of the proposed parish would be the same as the polling districts of Potters Bar Furzefield, Potters Bar Oakmere and Potters Bar Parkfield.

If you live in Potters Bar and are currently on the electoral register, please let us know what you think about the town having its own council.

You can write to:
The acting Democratic Services Manager
Hertsmere Borough Council
Civic Offices
Elstree Way
Borehamwood
Herts
WD6 1WA

Or email pottersbarparish@hertsmere.gov.uk

Please let us have your views by Friday 4 January 2008.

The findings from our consultation will then be presented at the next full council meeting on 16 January 2008 where a decision will be made on whether Hertsmere supports the moves or not. If the proposal meets with approval, the first elections are likely to take place in May 2009.