THE biggest shake-up in the way Marlow is governed for almost 30 years could be just around the corner.

The Government has produced a white paper encouraging local communities, such as Marlow, to have greater control over their own affairs. Could this signal a return to the days of Marlow Urban District Council?

When Marlow lost a huge say in its own affairs 27 years ago, many people said the town would lose its identity.

The dissolution of Marlow Urban District Council in 1974 meant the town had to give up most of its power to Wycombe District Council.

Political leaders argued at the time that the greater centralisation of services would lead to "bigger, better and faster" local government.

But the reality has not always matched up to the initial bold promises and community leaders have been talking seriously about a return to the old ways.

They have been encouraged by a Government white paper, which suggests that towns, such as Marlow, should play a bigger part in running their own affairs.

County, district, and town councillor for Marlow, Maurice Oram (Lib Dem) sat on the now defunct urban council. He is keen to see greater devolution for the town.

Cllr Oram said: "It was a great regret when the urban council was disbanded. If you talk to some older people in the town they will say things have never been right since the demise.

"We were sorry to lose control of the town as we were responsible for everything the district now does."

He argued that although it might cost a little extra for a new Marlow council to deliver services, they would be faster and more efficient. Councillors would also be more accountable to residents.

However, Cllr Oram said there could never be a complete return to the days of the urban council as Government changes meant that any new authority could no longer be responsible for issues such as housing and public health.

Cllr Pam Priestley (Cons), leader of Wycombe District Council, supported her opposite number but warned that change was some way off.

She added: "I have not got a problem with it, but I'd say it's horses for courses. Marlow is a big parish and I'm sure they could take on extra things."

But what will these changes mean?

The Government says it wants to see:

rural communities being fully involved in developing their community and shaping the decisions that affect them

local councils acting as the voice of their community

strong cross-council partnership

help for more than 1,000 town and village plans to shape the future of communities

The aim of this new approach to local government is to breathe more life into local politics.

Cllr Derek Done, Marlow Mayor, said: "This could make local elections much more relevant to people if people think we have more power."

He added: "The big issue is whether the public is actually in favour of devolving more power downwards. I'm sure most people would like to see Marlow have greater control over its own affairs.

"I am not a Labour man but I feel the Government is serious in what it is saying.

"I don't think it is an unrealistic possibility. We're not talking about something that can't happen because it did happen under the Marlow Urban District Council in the 70s. The shame is it has taken 30 years to get back to a situation that most people would have preferred."

Marlow Urban District Council was formed in 1895. It was disbanded along with High Wycombe Borough Council and Wycombe Rural Council to form Wycombe District Council in 1974.

The Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce and the Marlow Society are supporting calls to return power to Marlow.

Colin Berks, president of Marlow Chamber of Trade, welcomed the Government's paper but asked where the resources and expenditure of an upgraded Marlow council would come from.

He added: "Marlow has suffered on many occasions from decisions being taken by the district and those decisions are not always relevant to the problems of Marlow. We believe that Marlow gets a raw deal. If there was more authority locally then perhaps we would see some real progress on certain issues."

Cllr Oram added: "We can't very well put a barrier up at Marlow Bridge, you have to consider that changes in Marlow would affect our neighbours. We must take into account the area strategy."

Helen Egar, a spokesman for the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, said: "We hope to publish in the next month a plan detailing when and how the various measures within the white paper will be implemented."