Residents vote to scrap Brierley Town Council

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-33568763

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Residents have voted to abolish a South Yorkshire town council.

About 1,200 people - 21% - voted on the future of Brierley Town Council, with 983 voting to scrap the council and 202 voting to retain it.

The poll was held after a report found people were angry about "relatively high" parish precept payments and the financial effects of a fraud committed by a former council clerk.

The result will be considered by Barnsley Council on 30 July.

The council will have to decide whether to fund services currently paid for by the parish precept at a cost of £157,000 a year.

Sir Stephen Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, said: "Only Barnsley Council can take a decision on this issue but the people of Brierley and Grimethorpe have spoken.

"I'll be taking a motion to full council on 30 July recommending that our officers work with Brierley Town Council to produce a report with a strategy, key actions and timetable for the abolition of the town council and civil parish."

Former town clerk Janet Cooper was jailed for eight years in 2013 after pleading guilty to fraud and theft offences.

The town council was forced to take out almost £1.3m in loans to cope with the financial implications arising from the fraudulent activity.