A COUNCILLOR has hit out at the abolition of the town committee saying that the residents of High Wycombe need their views recognised through a town council.

Wycombe district councillor Nigel Vickery (Lab, Booker and Castlefield) spoke after the High Wycombe town committee was abolished last week and replaced with two public meetings a year as part of the Government's modernisation of local government.

Cllr Vickery said under the new public meetings portfolio holders, whose wards may be in rural areas outside the town, could chair the meetings about the things affecting the town.

He said: "Although I can see the reason why they are getting rid of it I think it is a sad reason and I think people are going to be denied representation. It is going to be a complete and utter farce. It would be better to have a democratically elected town council."

Cllr Vickery said that in order for a town council to be set up for High Wycombe around 20,000 signatures would need to be gathered.

He said: "I think there are moves afoot by certain members of the charter trustees to push this over the next 12 months or so. We are trying to make more democratic representation for the people of the town.

Cllr Peter Cartwright (Con, Keep Hill and Hicks Farm) said: "This wouldn't stop town members meeting as a group to discuss things amongst themselves if they so wished."