Local campaigners looking to set up England’s biggest parish council have been given a cash boost from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC).
The £5,000 funding will help campaigners make the case for setting up a new parish council in Sutton Coldfield.
Ken Rushton, chairman of the Sutton Coldfield Town Council Referendum Committee, said: ‘Sutton residents have proved they have enthusiasm for a town council. The town is under-funded.
‘We want any town council set up to be recognised fully around the country - we want some prominence. We hope Sutton Coldfield Town Council will be given devolved powers over areas including planning, road development and waste management.’
NALC is running the first ever ‘Create a council’ week between 19–23 May to help encourage community groups to form new parish councils.
Cllr Ken Browse, Chairman of NALC, said: ’Neighbourhood level governance can make it easier for people to take action and improve their area. Much of the country already benefits from grassroots government; providing democratic representation and delivering services to the community, as well influencing other decision-making bodies. But many cities and town do not, our Government funded programme is there help communities in those areas.’
