200 sign petition against parish council for Tettenhall
More than 200 people have signed a petition against plans to form a parish council in an historic village.
Proposals for a parish council in Tettenhall were put forward last year by members of the village's district community council, who want more powers for the area.
But now a rival group of residents has opposed the scheme over concerns it will lead to a sharp rise in council tax payments.
A petition has been launched by David McGlynn, who says there are many residents who are unwilling to pay an additional council tax precept for the limited powers afforded by parish council status.
On the petition, which has been formally submitted to Wolverhampton Council, Mr McGlynn says he 'strongly requests' that the authority rejects parish council plans for Tettenhall.
"We want the council to recognise that we are not prepared to pay any associated precept," he adds. A total of 208 people have signed Mr McGlynn's petition.
Parish councils are funded by an annual precept, which is added on to council tax bills and is used to pay for day-to-day functions.
The average band D precept for a parish council is £57.40. If given the go-ahead, the parish council will cover the areas of Tettenhall Wightwick and Tettenhall Regis.
It has the option to take control over areas such as parks, bus shelters, public toilets, crime prevention, litter control, planning applications and community transport. Cyril Randles, chairman of the Tettenhall District Community Council, said he wanted to keep the precept as low as possible.
He cited the example of Holme Valley Parish Council in West Yorkshire, where the annual precept is just £12.
"My stance would be to take on the minimum in terms of powers and duties," Mr Randles said.
"This would give us a structure to influence local issues without residents being saddled with big rises in their council tax bills.
"We know we have to tread carefully. The last thing we want to see is people effectively paying twice for the same services."
The proposals form part of a wider review covering the whole of Wolverhampton that was due to end last week. The city council is expected to reveal its findings in the coming months.