RESIDENTS in Stratton St Margaret have voted overwhelmingly against proposals that would see the parish council take on more responsibilities from Swindon Borough Council.

This morning the council has revealed there was a 7.8 per cent turnout for the vote last night, with 1189 votes cast.

156 were in favour of the parish taking on the responsibilities, while 1033 voted against.

Stratton St Margaret Parish Council held a poll asking residents the question: “Should the Parish Council take on additional responsibilities such as grass cutting, hedge cutting, flower beds, street cleaning and litter picking which are currently the responsibility of the Borough Council?”

The poll comes amid a plan drawn up from Swindon Borough Council to devolve some services - including grass cutting and graffiti cleaning - to parish councils. In areas where a parish council does not already exist, a new council would be created. This would include areas such as West Swindon, Central Swindon, Old Town, Lawn, as well as Walcot, the Parks, Eldene and Liden.

Stratton St Margaret Parish Council called on residents to share their views on this proposal, warning that in order to carry out these services the parish would need to increase its precept by around £100,000 over the next four years each year – or £25,000 each year.

A spokesperson for the parish council said: “The Borough is providing a sliding scale of transitional funds towards this service and by year four the services are expected to be met fully by the Parish Council. The total amount of transferred funds is to cover the current level of Borough Council maintenance.”

The transfer of services will be considered at the full council meeting on Tuesday at 7pm.