Voters back creation of largest town council

Residents voted to abolish one town council and create another in referendums held last week.

Voters backed the creation of what will almost certainly be the country’s largest town council, covering the entire parliamentary constituency of Sutton Coldfield, which was joined to Birmingham City Council in the 1974 local government reorganisation.

On a 39.6% turnout among 75,431 voters, the town council’s creation was endorsed by 20,871 votes to 8,980.

Birmingham has to formally support the decision before it can take effect.

Leader Sir Albert Bore said the city council’s final decision “could have an impact beyond Sutton Coldfield”.

There would be other changes including a Boundary Commission review to decide on the size of the city council from 2018 and new ward arrangements. 

“Taking all these changes together, this is a watershed moment in the way that Birmingham is governed,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents voted to abolish Brierley Town Council, in the Barnsley Council area, by 983 votes to 202 on a 21% turnout.

The ballot was called after a series of controversies including its former clerk Janet Cooper being jailed for eight years in 2013 after pleading guilty to fraud and theft offences.

Barnsley leader Sir Stephen Houghton said be would be taking a motion to the full council to set a timetable for the town council’s dissolution.

“We will also ask the town council not to take any major financial or policy decisions that might affect its position.”