On behalf of your Sutton Coldfield Councillors we would like to make the following statement.
We received a letter from the Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council dated August 2012 concerning a petition submitted to the Council to create a devolved Sutton Coldfield Town Council, to which we will respond directly.
It is noted in the Chief Executive's letter that only 33 (thirty three) people signed the petition which is considerably below the legal number required for a referendum which is 7,539.
We are of the view that Sutton's local residents need to be provided with all the facts as they are at present, both for and against a Sutton Town Council and a risk analysis carried out so that they are in a position to reach a fully informed balanced view on the issue.
We do support decision making powers being devolved to Sutton wherever practical which is part of the present Government's policy. Our approach will be determined by the outcome of the consultation of our Sutton residents. The informed views of all our residents are our priority.
On behalf of Sutton Coldfield Conservative Councillors:
Cllr Alan Rudge (pictured with the letter).
Sutton Vesey
Cllr James Bird
Sutton New Hall