Role of parish council called into question

Saddleworth Parish Council
THE future of Saddleworth Parish Council was debated last night as councillors discussed the extended role it should play and what services it could take on as a consequence of devolution from Oldham Council.

Parish councillors were given the chance to quiz deputy council leader Shoab Akhtar and Councillor Jean Stretton on just how the role of the parish council could change.

They asked about issues including highways funding and planning procedures. The role of the district partnership also featured heavily in the debate, with councillors identifying a potential power struggle between the two bodies.

The idea of creating more parish councils across the borough was also suggested, but it was agreed that this would need to stem from demand from residents in other districts.

Councillor Stretton said it is up to parish councillors to decide what roles they wanted to adopt and that the current Labour administration would be in frequent conversation with the parish council to aid its evolution.

Councillor John Hudson said: “The Government seems to be saying there is a role there for parish councils. We need to decide what that role is and if we’re big enough to fulfil it.

“We talk about localism, well the public has elected us and they want to see us be the council we can be.”

Councillor Mike Buckley said the parish would have to find a way of working with the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership in order to move beyond simply making recommendations.

Responsibilities the parish council could take on could range from highway maintenance and promoting tourism to providing community centres, funding libraries or providing recreational activities.

Councillor Ken Hulme added: “The parish council is becoming a sub-committee, of a sub-committee of Oldham Council. People want a strong independent council that is seen to speak up for them.”

Councillors also brought up the role of community and residents’ groups by-passing them and dealing directly with Oldham Council officers — something they hope to alter in the future.

Later in the meeting, councillors delayed a decision to express interest in taking on certain services and decided instead to put together a research team.

Team members will explore other parish councils that hold Quality Parish Council status, for example Selby, on a fact-finding mission to see what services they have taken on and how they have gone about it.