The proposal to set up a town council in Fenton is challenging and stimulating. Town councils are the cornerstone of democracy. By giving power to the people, they strengthen local government and create civic pride.
Like the other five towns, Fenton is dying. Burslem and Stoke have already become ghost towns. Tunstall and Longton face an uncertain future. Despite all the spin put out by public relations experts and newspaper columnists, Hanley is too small to become a regional capital and compete with Birmingham and Manchester. A town council will bring prosperity to Fenton’s traders. It will enable Art Venue to create a unique arts centre that will attract tourists who could inject millions of pounds a year into the local economy. More important than economic benefits is the impact a town council will have on the lives of local people. It will give them pride in their town and the confidence to work together to build a better life for themselves and create new opportunities for their children.
Although it has widespread socio-economic problems, Stoke-on-Trent is a unique city.
Each town has its own character and architectural heritage which must be used to regenerate our city. Local people are proud of the Potteries. They want to help make it a better place. Fenton needs a town council. One should be formed as soon as possible. Fenton is not alone. Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke and Longton also need town councils which will give them a voice on local issues that will be heard at the civic centre.
What do you think?
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It is most refreshing to peruse this article and may I say that I would welcome the imitative for Stoke-on-Trent and the Six Towns to adopt their own Town Councils.
The Kidsgrove District comprises of five wards: Kidsgrove, Butt Lane, Talke and Newchapel. These five wards are encompassed within Kidsgrove Town Council and Newcastle Borough Council. However, I must admit that Kidsgrove Town Council is more attuned to the needs and requirements of the local people.
All too often, local needs are overlooked by the Borough Councils and indeed County Councils and this is why I would wholeheartedly support a bold imitative for the Six Towns to have their own Town Councils.
Kidsgrove Town Council has recently introduced a new and exciting venture ie, Kidsgrove Youth Parliament, in consultation with Clough Hall Technology School and Maryhill High School. The first elections shall take place in September and the inaugural meeting of Kidsgrove Youth Parliament shall take place at Kidsgrove’s Victoria Hall in October 2011.
Note, Kidsgrove Town Council hold their monthly meeting on the third Thursday of every month and the meetings commence at 7.00pm. These meetings are open to the general public.
Another new imitative that may be formed is The Friends of Talke. The Friends of Talke shall relish the task of obtaining funding to commemorate the former mining communities of Talke and Talke Pits by erecting a memorial to all, whom, sadly perished in the mining disasters in the past.
Kind regards
Margaret Astle
Kidsgrove Town Councillor
Newcastle Borough Councillor
Chairman of The Friends of Bathpool Park