Town council campaigners dismayed

After collecting hundreds of signatures for its creation, members of the Crook Town Council Steering Group say the project has been hit by frustrating delays.

The Boundary Commission’s ongoing assessment of the area has frozen all such applications for parish and town authorities as officers review local council wards.

The steering group drafted a formal application to the Local Government Association for the town council last summer.

Once given the go-ahead by Durham County Council, a town council could be formed, taking responsibility for allotments, recreational facilities and events.

It would also act as a grassroots voice and be consulted on planning applications and other issues.

Gavin Jopling, a member of the steering group, said Crook is missing out.

"It is difficult," he said.

"We had hoped if there was a general election things would happen quicker.

"It is frustrating for the people on the committee and people are getting fed up with it but we can’t take it any further forward."

Lack of action could lead to apathy about the plans and destroy the momentum which was built up by campaigners last year.

Mr Jopling added members of Greater Willington Town Council and Tow Law Town Council will sit on the Three Towns Partnership, the county council’s area action partnership (AAP) for the three communities.

The steering group has no clear indication of how long the boundary review process could take.

"We are still doing our best to get a town council," said Mr Jopling.

"At the minute people in Crook have nowhere to go and argue.

"They can go to their county councillors but there are only a few since we got the new unitary authority."

He hopes Durham County Council uses their power to help them create a town council despite of the review.

"We are hoping that someone at the council sees sense," he said.

Members of the public are invited to the steering group’s AGM at The Hive, on Hope Street, on Wednesday April 21 at 6.30pm.