Break-away is given a boost

Barrie Dack, chairman of the Fairfield Community Action Group (FCAG) in Stotfold, says the report on a consultation exercise undertaken by Central Bedfordshire Council shows broad support for the movement.

Mr Dack and a group of fellow Fairfield Park residents triggered a formal Community Governance Review on the proposed community council in Fairfield after they handed in a petition containing more than 1,200 signatures in favour of the move.

The public consultation period finished on November 7 and members of Central Beds Council’s General Purposes Committee will be considering the review at a meeting on Thursday (December 8).

Mr Dack, who lives in Bronte Avenue, said: “The people responding to the consultation exercise show an overwhelming support for Fairfield to become a separate parish.

“This is particularly so among Fairfield residents but it is interesting to note that there was also a majority in favour of people in the remaining part of the Stotfold ward.”

Mr Dack is hopeful that the committee will consider the popularity of the proposals.

He added: “We can only hope that members of the Central Beds Council general purposes committee recognise the wishes of the people they serve and recommend the setting up of a Fairfield Community Council from next year.

“It must be remembered that 1,200 out of 1,800 supported our original petition and while the numbers responding to the consultation are not as high the consultation was delivered on a ‘per household basis’ rather than an elector one.”