Have your say on Sevenoaks' town and parish councils

By SevenoaksHol | Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 18:28

Sevenoaks residents are being asked to comment on the effectiveness of their town or parish council as part of a district-wide review.

Sevenoaks Town Mayor Margaret Crabtree has been busy appearing at recent local events such as the firework procession, Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas lights ceremony. People are being asked how they would like the Town Council and Parish Councils run.

Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) is looking at the role of all 30 town and parish authorities in its area as part of a 'Community Governance Review'.

These surveys take place every 10 to 15 years, with the last one completed in 1999, and give residents the opportunity to say how they would like their councils run in the future.

Proposals could include creating new parishes, merging or grouping parishes together or altering parish boundaries.

Consideration would also be given to changing parish names or the number of councillors who sit on the body.

Anyone can take part and the comments will be considered by SDC's Electoral Arrangements Committee in the spring.

Cllr Elaine Bracken, cabinet member for democracy, said: "Town and parish councils are the level of government closest to the community, providing many important local services.

"We want to ensure they are representative of the communities they serve and continue to offer good services now and in the future."

The deadline for comments is 24 February2012. To take part e-mail elreg@sevenoaks.gov.uk or write to: Ian Bigwood, Electoral Services Manager, Sevenoaks District Council, Council Offices, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks TN13 1HG.