Going to town on parish poser

The saga of the village governed by a town council has taken another turn, after members decided to rethink their status again.

Balderton Parish Council changed its name in September, despite a public vote against the move some years ago.

Villagers have complained about the decision, so at the request of councillor Mr Pat White, it will be discussed again on January 23.

He said: “I have not met anybody who is in favour of it.”

The clerk, Mrs Cheryl Davison-Lyth, said: “We have not had a lot of correspondence but members have received verbal reactions.

“No one has written in support of the decision.”

Parish and town councils have exactly the same power and status.

The Balderton chairman, Mr Fred Mortimore, championed the change of name.

He said that when writing to organisations, they should make it clear they were a town.

“If it comes from a parish council they think: ‘Small village.’ If it comes from a town council they think: ‘Large community.’ It’s nonsense not to call ourselves a town,” he said.