A councillor has defended the value of parish councils.
John Renshaw, chairman of St Peter’s Parish Council, spoke out following concerns raised by Reform UK about proposals to introduce more parish councils in Worcester.
Worcester City Council is consulting on the Future Worcester plans, which could see a new town council or additional parish councils established to preserve local representation after the transition to a unitary authority in 2028.
WORTH EVERY PENNY: John Renshaw says parish councils are worth having (Image: Supplied)
Currently, only Warndon Villages and St Peter’s have parish councils within the city.
Phil Mabey, campaign manager for the Worcester city branch of Reform UK, said the new councils could increase taxes and create an unnecessary extra layer of local government.
Cllr Renshaw disagreed.
He said: “Here in St Peter’s we’ve had our own parish council for over 30 years now following a campaign by local residents to establish one and local residents are very keen to ensure that we keep our parish council.
MAYOR: Tor Pingree, the current mayor of Worcester. The role of mayor could be continued by a future parish council (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones/LDRS)
“It’s not just about how much a parish council costs but what it delivers for its residents.
“St Peter’s Parish Council organises the annual parish festival, worked with the Village Hall Association to provide the new community centre, installed an outdoor gym in Power Park and campaigned for the city council to build Worcester’s first pump track in Battenhall Park.
“During the covid pandemic, the parish council helped elderly and vulnerable residents by collecting their prescriptions and food shopping thorough the St Peter’s Coronavirus Support Group.”
He highlighted the additional services funded by the council.
He said: “The parish council has also paid for additional trees, shrubs and bulbs to be planted in the parks and publishes a newsletter called newslink to let residents know what their parish councillors are doing for them.
“It costs the owner of a band D property an extra £22.90 a year on their council tax to have a parish council in St Peter’s.
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“A well-run parish council is worth every penny to its local residents.
“If residents of other parts of Worcester are wondering whether it’s worth having a parish council then look at St Peter’s.”
Cllr Renshaw said a town or parish council for the city could also help Worcester keep its city charter and continue the annual election of a mayor. But these duties could also be carried out by a group of charter trustees.
The consultation is open until 5pm on Monday, June 15.
Is there a parish council where you live and if not, would you like to see one created? Let us know in the comments
