Campaign for a Worksop Town Council

Since I have got involved in local politics, I have noticed how little say the residents of Worksop have about what happens in our town, from big planning decisions on whether we should have a new supermarket to providing new play facilities for children. even about when and where we will get a new Bus Station All decisions about developments and amenities in the Town are taken at District Council level, often by people who don't live in Worksop.

It is noticeable when we compare Worksop to other towns nearby like Gainsborough, Southwell or Newark how badly served we have been over the years in the development of our town. What makes these towns different to ours? All are large towns in a diverse District Council, so how have they managed to be better developed then Worksop? The answer is that all of these towns have a Town Council which takes responsibility for local amenities and advises the District Council on planning and regeneration for the area. It brings the decisions about the town closer to the people who live here and who will be effected by them.

Most of the villages and smaller towns in Bassetlaw have Parish or Town Councils that do a wonderful job in representing their communities and getting the best for their area. All the people elected to these local councils do so without pay and often to the exclusion of party politics. While there is a small extra charge on the Council Tax in these areas, it is recognised that these local councils are good value for money and give residents a say in their local community.

In Bassetlaw, it is only Worksop & Retford where the residents are not allowed to have a direct say about issues that affect where they live. It is time that we put an end to this and create a Worksop Town Council to run Worksop affairs. I will be asking the District Council to start the process & I call upon the good people of this wonderful town to get behind this campaign.