Last updated at 12:24, Friday, 24 August 2012

A bid to separate Harrington from Workington’s political control has been going on for over 10 years.

Workington town councillor Stephen Stoddart caused controversy two weeks ago when he suggested that Harrington should branch out on its own and was accused of trying to undermine the town council.

But Harrington Residents’ Association has been working on the issue for over 10 years and is still in talks with Allerdale council about forming a new Harrington parish.

Dougie Kerr, association chairman, said: “I am pleased that the issue has been put into the spotlight because it may help make some progress.

“Perhaps if I had been given support from councillors in the last 10 years, we may have had a decision one way or another by now.

“The general feeling is that if we had our own parish council it would give more power to the people of Harrington.

“I personally don’t think there is enough money coming into Harrington for various projects. If we had a parish council we would get a precept which gives control and we can spend it on what is needed.”

The issue first appeared on the association’s agenda in April 2001 and has been brought up every year since.

In 2003 the association distributed leaflets to every house in Harrington and High Harrington to ask residents if they wanted a parish council.

Of the forms that were returned, 80 per cent were in favour of a separate parish council.

But a subsequent white paper published meant the results were no longer valid and the association had to go back to the drawing board and continued working with Allerdale council to co-ordinate another survey.

For a parish council to be formed in Harrington, either a parish poll or a review would have to go ahead.

A petition signed by 10 per cent of electors recommending the creation of a parish council would mean Allerdale council could create one.

Allerdale council would decide how many councillors would serve on the new authority and organise an election.

A new parish council would employ a clerk and raise money through a precept on the council tax, which would be available for spending on services in Harrington.

It would be required to hold an annual meeting and at least three other meetings a year and it would have a duty to provide allotments.

It would also have discretionary powers, which it could take on from the borough or county councils, including bus shelters, cemeteries, crime prevention, community centres, public clocks and cycle paths.

First published at 11:52, Friday, 24 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk