Last updated 15:57, Wednesday, 07 May 2008

A NEW consultation is this week, asking Whitehaven people if they want a town council of their own.

As promised Copeland Council will be asking residents if they favour the move. Whitehaven is the only area in the borough without its own representative body.

Copeland Council is planning to organise meetings or other opportunities throughout the borough so people can have their say. There will be several meetings in Whitehaven, where each of the seven wards (Bransty, Harbour, Hensingham, Mirehouse, Hillcrest, Kells and Sandwith) will host at least one. Groups who want a meeting in their locality should contact Martin Jepson at the Copeland Centre.

Copeland councillors of all political allegiances have discussed giving the town its own council, and agreed there should be widespread public consultation. Copeland’s Parish Review Working Party has to complete the consultation by August.

Chairman of the Working Party, Coun Norman Williams said: “ We are keen to hear all opinions and hope people will let us know by attending a meeting or writing to us at the Copeland Centre.’’

Town or parish councils are the grassroots tier of local government and serve smaller areas than the other levels of local government. In Copeland, Egremont, Cleator Moor and Millom each has its own town council. They and all the parish councils raise a small precept from each household in their area to provide certain services, that amount is added to each council tax bill.

Written responses on the issue can be sent to Martin Jepson, head of Legal and Democratic Services, Copeland Borough Council, Copeland Centre, Catherine Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7SJ or via email to : mjepson@copeland.gov.uk