New Voice for Buxton

Buxton people could get their own voice in local affairs if plans for a town council goes ahead. The Derbyshire Association of Local Councils is to hold a public meeting next month to see if there is interest in the town having its own council.

However the project would come at a cost as householders in parishes have higher council tax bills. Across the High Peak the amount payable for parish councils varies: the highest amount paid for a Band D property is £63.10 a year for homeowners in New Mills, equivalent to £5 a month.

Brian Wood, Secretary/Treasurer, of the Derbyshire Association of Local Councils said that across the region £23,000 of funding had been provided by the previous government to look at the interest in creating parishes in unparished areas in Derbyshire.

A public meeting is to be held at the Railway Hotel, on Bridge Street at 7.30pm on Wednesday, October 13 to find out if the public, voluntary and other organisations would support the creation of a town or parish council.

If a valid petition is received by High Peak Borough Council they would have a duty to undertake such a Community Governance Review which could include a questionnaire to all residents or the holding of formal public meetings and consultation.

Supporters say the Parishing of Buxton would provide the areas with: "the ability to respond to particular local needs and deliver solutions in response; represent the immediate community; give more local control over the quality of the local environment and give a voice to represent local circumstances, its identity and interests."

Unlike the council tax that is paid to Derbyshire County Council, High Peak Borough Council the police or fire service, the amount given to parishes can only be spent in their area.

Town and Parish Councils are democratically elected and have statutory powers to provide a wide range of services and functions including allotments, bus shelters, support for local crime prevention initiatives, tourism, entertainment and the arts, local highway matters such as street lighting, grit bins, roadside verges and maintenance of community sport and recreation facilities.