In response to Colin Sykes’s letter (May 11), I cannot comment on the effectiveness of Myland Community Council, as I do not live in its area.

However, the electorate spoke clearly enough by voting on May 5, greatly increasing Anne Turrell’s majority.

Stanway, in comparison, is a different situation. The two borough councillors who are also parish councillors have not managed a majority of more than 6 per cent since 2002. However, the remaining councillor, who chooses to concentrate on the role as a borough councillor, has maintained a majority above 13 per cent, receiving just over a 19 per cent majority this May.

This is not necessarily an anti-parish council message, but the electorate of Stanway has clearly not been convinced being a parish councillor increases the effectiveness of its borough councillors.

The “utopia”, as Colin puts it, does not exist only in my mind. For example, Greenstead does not have a parish council, and still has street lights, plenty of bus stops and community facilities, which are, in my opinion, of a better quality than those provided in Stanway.

As for the street light request to the parish council, is Colin suggesting that if there were no parish council and the county council was to say no, in this situation, he would simply give up, rather than put forward a stronger argument?

Yes we have a parish council, and no, I do not think it would be sensible not to use a facility we pay for. But I do not believe (given the evidence provided in non-parish council wards) that having no parish council would mean Stanway would be neglected, it would just mean our borough councillors would have to work a bit harder to get a better deal for the residents of Stanway.

The people of Stanway should at least be able to say whether or not they want a parish council. That is how a free and fair democracy works, is it not?

If the response is in favour, I will happily accept that Stanway wants its parish council and respect this decision. And I hope that if the opposite is true, Colin will do the same.

I will now concede to Colin the final word, if he wishes to respond, and leave this issue with the people of Stanway to make their own mind up.

Rob James
Oatfield Close
Stanway