I WOULD like the opportunity to respond and answer questions in a recent story on whether town councils in the borough are 'really needed' and if they are a 'privileged expense' for residents.

I would like to ask Mr Allen about this recent article, and point out that although his intentions to stand down for 'someone with that local knowledge' seems a good suggestion, why did he stand in the first place knowing he could not provide the services and support that the role demands?

Mr Allen states concern over the 'privileged expense' to residents; in Westhoughton, the average household pays £15.57 per annum. This equates to less than £1.50 per calendar month; the residents of Horwich may now be faced with increases in council tax to cover the potential by-election costs of Mr Allen's resignation.

For this average £15.57 annual precept, Westhoughton Town Council organises and funds the Remembrance Day parade, services of commemoration to mark the Pretoria Pit disaster, the Christmas lighting displays and town carol service, the funding of a GM police car and town centre CCTV, and the Daisy Hill in Bloom and town centre flower pots; the town council provides funding towards the Get Active scheme and the Bolton Lads & Girls Club Westhoughton Youth Project for the younger people of our town. These are just a number of initiatives and projects that we carry out and support each year.

Since the Town Council came into being in 1985, it has provided funds to numerous schools, churches, senior citizens and youth projects, local groups and individuals through the awarding of grants totalling almost £266,000.

I am extremely proud of what our town council has and continues to achieve, and would ask Mr Allen, if town councils such as ours were to cease as a 'throwback' of days gone by, who on earth would fund and organise all this.

Councillor Ryan Battersby

Leader of Westhoughton Town Council