Angry residents looking to break ties from local authority (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Angry residents looking to break ties from local authority

2:07pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Graeme Hetherington

DISGRUNTLED residents are looking to break away from their local authority and move themselves into the North Yorkshire boundary.

Nunthorpe Parish Council believes its relationship with Middlesbrough Council is not working, amid claims the affluent leafy suburb is at the bottom of the local authority’s priority list.

The parish council has now contacted Middlesbrough Council, Hambleton District Council and North Yorkshire County Council, asking each to sanction a review by the Local Government Boundary Commission to return Nunthorpe to the North Yorkshire County Council area.

The council would need to hold a referendum with residents before making any official move, a path that Yarm Town Council is also considering in its bid to move from Stockton Borough Council into North Yorkshire Council.

Nunthorpe was removed from North Yorkshire with the creation of the county borough of Teesside in 1968. It then became part of the county of Cleveland in 1974 and latterly, in 1996 became part of the unitary authority of Middlesbrough Council.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon has said that he had to consider the entire town which sometimes results in certain areas being unhappy with decisions.

However, residents are determined to have the boundary redefined so that they will be covered by an authority more in touch with their rural heart.

A Nunthorpe Parish Council spokeswoman said: “Middlesbrough unitary authority and the parish of Nunthorpe appear to be heading towards an irrevocable breakdown in their relationship.

“It has become apparent over a number of years that Nunthorpe is at the very bottom of Middlesbrough Council’s list of priorities. The community has gradually lost most of its council provided facilities, even before the present economic downturn.”

The parish council spokeswoman said inappropriate housing development proposals were gradually eroding the semi-rural character of Nunthorpe.

Mr Mallon said: “The Nunthorpe and Marton areas are an integral part of Middlesbrough and I do believe the people of the area have contributed significantly, both socially and economically, to the town for many years.

“I have stated on a number of occasions that when residents purchased a house within the immediate area, they purchased a way of life, due to the significant features which make Marton and Nunthorpe so desirable.”

He added: “I can understand the frustration of some members of the public from Nunthorpe and Marton, who have recently advanced the proposition of breaking away from Middlesbrough, on the basis that they feel I am not listening to them or delivering value for money in respect of their Council Tax contribution.”