AS Hitchin residents hold discussions as to whether the town needs its own council, Letchworth Garden City Council (LGCC) appears to be falling apart. LGCC seems to be plagued by a black cloud of trouble – beset by legal battles, disagreements with other

AS Hitchin residents hold discussions as to whether the town needs its own council, Letchworth Garden City Council (LGCC) appears to be falling apart.

LGCC seems to be plagued by a black cloud of trouble - beset by legal battles, disagreements with other bodies, and the suspension of a councillor.

Now a flurry of disillusioned town councillors have resigned due to the lack of progress and direction LGCC has shown thus far.

But I do think town councils have an inherent value in any community, as long as they stick to their remits and don't get side-tracked by irrelevant or wider issues that could hamper the progress they make.

Town councils have the power to deliver a vast range of services at a community level. They can provide community centres, recreation facilities and allotments; spend money on community transport schemes, entertainment and crime prevention; and they have the power to repair and maintain public footpaths and bridleways, and to provide public conveniences and roadside seats and shelters.

There are many more services town councils can deliver, so while their powers are undeniably limited there is much they can achieve.

The key to success is to have a team of focussed town councillors, led by a chairman with direction, and supported by a community with faith in the system.

Unfortunately LGCC appears to lack all three factors, with town councillors voicing their own lack of faith in the system and subsequently resigning.