Village to fight on for EU poll
PIONEERING villagers hoping to hold a controversial parish poll have found themselves at the centre of a political backlash.
Around 30 Terrington St Clement residents voted for a poll on whether the Government should hold a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty at a special meeting last week.
Communities across the country have successfully forced similar polls using the 1972 Local Government Act, which states that if ten members of a parish call a poll on any subject, the borough council must comply.
But West Norfolk Council has refused their request, claiming the parish was acting outside its powers.
After an initial run of polls, the first being held in Dorset in September, councils across the country are beginning to fight back and refuse to foot the bill.
Last week Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council, in Hampshire, turned down parishioners seeking a poll on the same grounds.
The issue has been raised in the House of Commons and some parish councils reportedly resent spending a chunk of their annual budget on what has been dismissed by some as a gimmick. The cost would be shared between the district and parish councils.
Parish council chairman Sheila Young, who organised the meeting, said she had been in touch with the pressure group Campaign Alliance for Referendums in Parishes (CARP) and the village now hoped to “go it alone.”
She told the Lynn News: “I have consulted with the people who signed the request and they have all said we should not give up. Now it has has been refused, it has got my gander up a bit. It is now a matter of principle.”
A borough council spokesman said the section of the act in question allowed parish meetings to discuss “parish affairs” and these could not extend to national affairs, such as the EU Reform Treaty.
Mrs Young added: “This issue affects every person, in every parish in every part of the country. We would like to lead the field and perhaps set an example for the rest of North West Norfolk. We don’t want to let it drop and fall into obscurity.”
West Norfolk Council this year held parish polls in Syderstone and Marshland St James, both on the issue of proposed windfarms in the area.
Parish poll results have no legal power, but it is hoped they will help to demonstrate public opinion on the issue.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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