NEW RUBERY councillor Adrian Kriss has pledged to help the village get a parish council.
Coun Kriss spoke at the Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meeting on Monday.
He said while campaigning for the Bromsgrove District Council election a lot of people he had spoken to on the doorstep had expressed an interest in having one.
“If we have a parish council, the money raised through the precept would be available to benefit the village.
“It’s always good to be in control of the money coming in for your area and we have some wonderfully active people in Rubery who could help run it.”
Coun Kriss said he would look into what needed to be done and the item was earmarked as one of the three PACT priorities which will be discussed at the next meeting.
There are currently 19 parish councils across Bromsgrove District and the average annual precept is £42.35 for band D householders.
Coun Peter McDonald, who represents Rubery North, said: “It’s up to the people of Rubery to decide whether they want a parish council or not but it will mean an increase in council tax which might not be wise during these times of austerity.
“We do have some struggling families and that extra amount may be needed to put meals on tables.”
Parish councils take responsibility for recreation grounds, allotments, bus shelters, cemeteries and other local items.
To set up a parish council a petition containing the signatures of 7.5 per cent of the area’s electorate has to be submitted to Bromsgrove District Council.
Once the list has been verified, the district council will carry out a Community Governance Review within 12 months and launch a consultation, asking residents if they are in favour or against having a parish council.
If they vote in favour, a date will be set for its first election.
* WHAT do you think? Should Rubery have a parish council? Maybe you already live in another parished area in Bromsgrove – what do you think of the parish council in your area? Email your views to [email protected] .
