Tories plan Parish Council for Southport

Southport could gain Parish Council status – but at a cost – if Sefton Council agrees a motion put forward by local Conservative councillors.

At this Thursday’s council meeting to be held at Bootle Town Hall, Tory leader councillor Terry Jones is proposing that a Community Governance Review should take place to explore the creation of a Parish Council for Southport.

Such a Parish Council would be the largest in Sefton and might well decide, if created, to redesignate itself a Town Council.  This would mean no change in powers except that the chairman of the parish could be called the mayor.

The Southport Parish Council would be able to charge an extra council tax precept on top of the council tax already paid to Sefton Council.  The current largest parish or town council in Sefton, Maghull, charges £98 extra on a band D property.

If Southport does gain a parish council all the significant decisions affecting Southport, such as town centre parking charges, bin collection arrangements and planning decisions, would still be made by Sefton Council.