Hundreds of residents in a Salford suburb have signed a petition calling for a new town council in a bid to ‘control their own future’.
Residents living in Broughton Park are calling on the council to establish the new ‘Town of Broughton Park’, with the campaign amassing more than 1,000 signatures.
The petition was officially submitted to Salford’s full council meeting this morning (March 20) by Councillor Andy Walters, who represents the ward of Kersal and Broughton Park as an independent.
“This is about us controlling our future, rather than relying on others,” he said. “The idiosyncratic needs of Broughton Park residents means that a three-weekly waste collection policy, which may work generally across the city, simply does not work in Broughton Park.
“Family sizes are generally larger than the average, yet despite Salford’s officers doing their best to accommodate, it is not possible to provide different services to just one part of the city.
“Hence, residents feel that autonomy will give them the best chance to ensure their needs are met.”
As required by section 80 of the Local Government and Public Involvement Act 2007, Salford Council will have to begin the formal 12-month consultation process into the petition.
The recommendations include the establishment of a new town council as well as devolution of several services including refuse collection, highway maintenance, litter bins and street cleaning. Town councils do operate in other parts of the country but their powers do not include refuse collection, only the provision of litter bins.
The petition states that whilst residents are generally happy with the services provided by Salford City Council, specific needs of its residents cannot currently be met.
“This should not be considered an unhappy spouse seeking a divorce, but rather, a child reaching maturity, and spreading his wings, whilst maintaining a positive relationship with his parent,” added Cllr Walters.
Local councils usually work in partnership with district or county councils.
Across England there are already more than 9,000 local councils representing around 15 million people in areas as diverse as urban city communities, market towns and rural villages.
Their aim is to improve community well-being, provide better services at a local level and provide local people with a stronger voice.
Localism is a policy supported by all the main political parties. Sir Keir Starmer, in his speech to the LGA Labour Conference on 6 February 2021, said: “I believe there’s a desire across the
country for politics and power to be much closer to people.”
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