More power is being taken away
4:23pm Thursday 19th August 2010 in Comment
THE cuts to expenditure which, as of yet have not affected the income of town councils, have severely affected the working of these bodies in that the professional advice regarding planning has been withdrawn.
Town councils were never in a position to approve planning applications, but to advise Bolton MBC. This advice is now downgraded to junk status.
The reason for town council existence is now in question. Why should many thousands of pounds of ratepayers’ money be expended on bodies that attract few people to their meetings and warrant minimal coverage by the local press?
Some of the functions undertaken are worthy, but at what cost? Westhoughton has two layers of local government — town council and area forum. There is only room for one body.
It is for the above reasons that I have resigned as a Westhoughton town councillor.
John Batley Manchester Road Over Hulton
