Town hall protest against merger

Protest outside Royton Town Hall about the merger with Shaw. Cllr Bernard Judge (front) with members of the public and fellow councillors.

Royton councillors opposed to merging with Shaw to form an area committee have protested on the steps of their old town hall.

They say consultation on the merger missed out several questionnaires from Royton people who are opposed to it

Papers going to Wednesday’s council meeting show that there were no returns against the plan to replace 12 community councils with 10 area committees.

Councillor Bernard Judge said: “I have been contacted by a number of Royton residents who tell me they completed the survey forms expressing a wish that Royton retains its own forum and returned them.

“Royton Community Council considered the proposal and was informed that a vote could not be taken, despite overwhelming feeling to reject the proposal, even though I tried to move that Royton remain separate from Shaw.