Thanet residents are being asked to give the council their views on a new proposal for a town council for Margate and a separate parish council for Westgate.

The proposal has been put forward for public consultation by the council’s Boundary and Electoral Arrangements Working Party as stage three of the Community Governance Review of Margate.

Margate town council would serve the wards of Cliftonville East, Cliftonville West, Dane Valley, Garlinge, Margate Central, Salmestone and Westbrook. Ward boundaries would remain unchanged and 17 town councillors would be elected;

Westgate parish council would only serve the ward of Westgate-on-sea. Its boundary would remain and ten parish councillors would be elected.

Elections would be on May 7 next year alongside the scheduled Parliamentary and local elections.

The cost to each resident has been calculated - a town council will cost £14.86 a year, as opposed to the £6.57 currently allocated to Margate Charter Trustees; Westgate parish council will cost each resident £24.58, as opposed to the current Charter Trustee price.

The consultation on this proposal will run until September 29 is open to all residents, businesses and stakeholders.

Public meetings to discuss the proposal will be held on Wednesday, August 27, at Westgate Pavillion in Sea Road; and on Thursday, August 28, at Thanet council chamber in Cecil Street, Margate. Both start at 7pm.

Cllr David Green, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration and Chair of the Boundary and Electoral Arrangements Working, said: “Margate is the last remaining area in Thanet without a town or parish council. We want to ensure that council can take full account of public opinion when deciding whether or not this should go ahead.”

BLOB: Visit www.thanet.gov.uk/speakup for more information to take part in the consultation.