A TOWN council is looking at upping sticks and moving across a county border.

Stotfold Town Council is examining the possibility of moving from Central Beds to North Herts and has called on the 7,000 residents of the town to have their say on the idea.

“We would like to test the public perception on the matter,” said Kate Elliott, clerk of Stotfold Town Council, who insisted the council was politically neutral on the matter.

“We have given it to one of our committees. We need to compare figures like council tax, schools, hospitals, things like that. We are waiting to gauge people’s opinions before it could be presented to the borders commission. We may end up going down the road of consultation. The idea is whether to move wholesale instead of just having a Hertfordshire postcode.”

The idea was originally mooted by Stotfold resident Mick Haskell, who said he is fed up with the lack of action by Central Beds in the town.

“Historically Stotfold has close economic, employment, transport, health, entertainment, shopping and cultural links with North Herts.

“Public transport goes between Letchworth, Hitchin and Stevenage. Hospitals, ambulance, fire, shopping, leisure, employment and rail service are in North Herts. The majority of Stotfold residents naturally migrate to North Herts for almost everything, but we pay our rates to Central Bedfordshire which provides little in return.

“Major improvements in amenities and facilities are long overdue for Stotfold and its time for this to change. Central Bedfordshire has no plans to provide these and unless we make it happen it is very likely the next 50 years will see the downward spiral continue.”

A North Herts District Council spokesman said the council would need to be a consultee in any public consultation after an official representation had first been made to Central Beds Council.

A spokesman at Central Beds Council said they would not comment until the proposal is made official.

Residents can have their say at enquiries@stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk or by letter to The Clerk, Stotfold Town Council, The Simpson Centre, Hitchin Road, Stotfold, Hitchin, Herts SG5 4HP.