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Call for a poll on council split - COMMENT ON THIS STORY
A HANDFUL of voters are set to force a costly referendum on whether Whitby should become independent from Scarborough Borough Council.
A town assembly meeting takes place on Tuesday to discuss whether Whitby should be under the borough council's control.
And if a third of those present decide there should be a vote on the issue, then the ballot, likely to cost thousands of pounds, will go ahead.
Nigel Ward, who is behind ambitious plans to transform the disused cargo shed in Endeavour Wharf into an arts venue is one of those who wants a parish poll.
He believes, given the huge raft of grievances that have been building in recent times against Scarborough Borough Council, enough is enough.
Town mayor Coun Steve Smith announced he was to call the meeting, which is open to the public, at Whitby Town Council earlier this week.
But although he said the town council has listened to the views of the electorate by having the Town Assembly, he feels a poll would be a "waste of taxpayers' money" as it does not carry any legal weight.
Coun Smith told the Gazette a parish poll will cost several thousand pounds if held.
He said: "We are responding to the concern of a minority of residents and although we are keen to listen to people's views we feel in the current economic climate the cost of a poll, if it should go ahead, would be an unnecessary expense. It's Whitby taxpayers' money.
"The legislation as it stands leaves councils open to manipulation by a very small number of the electorate.
"The poll doesn't carry any legal weight at all as the town council nor Scarborough Borough Council have to take people's views into account.
"Who would run the town if Scarborough Borough Council doesn't as the town council doesn't have the resources and the expertise?"
Members of the public are welcome to attend the Town Assembly but only people whose names are included in the electoral register may speak or vote on any matter.
Mr Ward highlighted problems with the town's piers which are in danger of collapse, sewage leaks, the swing bridge, the collapse of the harbour wall where Yorkshire Water are currently carrying out repairs and the beach chalets, among others which are of concern to residents.
He said: "I live opposite where the Regatta rowing races reach their climax. Whitby and Scarborough compete fiercely but fairly.
"It would hardly be fair if Scarborough put their cox in both boats but that is exactly what is happening. They can't compete with Whitby as a visitor destination. "
Before Coun Smith called the meeting, Mr Ward had already prepared a document which had been signed by six voters on the electoral register calling for the Annual Town Assembly – something which is required by law before it can be held.
The parish poll can only be held if 10 or one third of the electors present at the Town Assembly, whichever figure is the lesser, vote in its favour and the town council is then obliged by law to hold one.
Ian Anderson, Scarborough Borough Council's head of legal and support services, said: "It is noted that a Town Assembly has been convened by a number of individuals within the community.
"It will be a matter for the Assembly to consider whether they wish to require the town council to commission the borough council to put a question to the electorate on their behalf by way of a poll. The cost of a poll is currently estimated at 3,000.
"As the entire cost of the poll falls upon the town council the expectation is that the town council will have the powers to deal with the subject matter of the question to be asked.
"It should be noted however, that the result of a poll is not binding on the town council, or indeed, the district council)."
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The law as it stands means just three people are needed to cast a binding vote.
The Town Assembly will be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday at Pannett Art Gallery.
l Editor’s comment – see page 12
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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