The official campaign to secure a Town Council for West Bridgford has welcomed the backing of two Rushcliffe independent councillors – even though they don’t live in the town.
Councillor Ted Birch from Bingham and Councillor Keir Chewings from Cotgrave told West Bridgford Wire it was “vital for West Bridgford to have its own dedicated local council”.
“We welcome their positive backing,” said Councillor Steve Calvert, of the West Bridgford Local Area Forum, which is the official campaign group pressing for Town Council status.
“It’s very encouraging that Rushcliffe councillors who live outside of West Bridgford can see the strength of our case,” he added.
Earlier this year, the Forum organised a survey of local residents which revealed 87% of those questioned were in favour of a Town Council.
It now needs to get 2,500 signatures online of West Bridgford’s 31,000 eligible voters – 7.5% – to oblige Rushcliffe Borough Council to complete a “community governance review”, the legal procedure to secure a Town Council.
“As we get closer to ministers announcing the new make- up of local government reorganisation, it’s vital that a town the size of West Bridgford should have its own voice, “ added Councillor Calvert, who represents West Bridgford’s Abbey Ward on Rushcliffe Borough Council.
“Having our own Town Council would give the residents the opportunity of making decisions on very local West Bridgford issues. That’s why we would urge local residents to sign the official campaign petition.”
Unlike Bingham and Cotgrave, and many other village communities in Rushcliffe, West Bridgford doesn’t have a Town Council.
Residents who want to sign the official campaign petition can access it here:
Petition for a West Bridgford Town Council
The boundaries covered by the Town Council would match the unparished part of the Borough to include:
- on the North by the River Trent
- to the West by the NET tram route
- to the South and East by the A52 Ring Road (anti-clockwise) up to the Grantham Canal. It then follows the Canal north-westwards up to and across the A6011 Radcliffe Road where it continues northwards on the edge of the built up area to meet the River Trent.
