Hartlepool council chiefs to review estate's plea to break away from Greatham parish

South Fens has been part of Greatham Parish since the estate was built in the 1970s.

But the area’s three representatives who sit on Greatham Parish Council say they are two distinct communities divided by the A689 dual carriageway.

They add South Fens residents object to having to pay a share of their council tax to Greatham Parish Council as most of it is spent in the village.

It is estimated around £2,500 a year is raised from South Fens’ 500-plus households.

A petition signed by more than 250 people calling for a review was collected by South Fens parish councillors Steve Harrison, Don Cameron and Michael Ward.

Coun Harrison said: “Geographically, South Fens has got nothing to do with Greatham village. The A689 splits the parish down the middle.

“For over 30 years Greatham Parish Council has collected the precept from South Fens taxpayers and spent it in Greatham.

“We went door to door collecting signatures and more than 99% of people say ‘we have had enough’.”

Hartlepool Borough Council confirmed the petition is valid and a review will be undertaken.

A council spokesman said: “Upon receipt of valid community governance petitions (which include the signatures of 250 electors from the parish) the Council must, as a matter of law, undertake a review of the current governance arrangements.

“In order to undertake such a review a report will be submitted to the next meeting of the Full Council proposing suitable terms of reference.

“Under law, community governance reviews must be completed within 12 months from the date of publication of the terms of reference.”

Chairman of Greatham Parish Council Brian Walker previously said most of its expenditure is in the village as that is where most of the community facilities are.

He said they were open to South Fens residents and added: “It’s important to remember spending money is not the main function of a Parish Council, it is also representing the interests of the parish and its residents, for example in the planning system or getting potholes repaired.”