A PARISH council for the Finham area will be created after Coventry councillors finally gave the go-ahead following a public ‘Yes’ vote in favour.
And more could follow in the city if residents want one, said leading Labour councillor Phil Townshend.
He told a full council meeting on Tuesday there would now be negotiations about what powers might be ceded to the new parish council.
Nearly 4,000 residents will have to pay a little extra in Council Tax each year, and the cost of elections will be between £4,000 and £6,000.
A public ballot which returned a 73 per cent ‘Yes’ vote was triggered after more than 700 people signed a petition in favour of creating the parish council.
It could have responsibility for anything from cutting grass verges, to street cleaning, parking and noise abatement.
Coun Townshend warned it was unlikely that the larger services and responsibilities would be handed down to the parish council of up to 10 councillors, but he said the council’s decision was “democracy in action.”
Parish councils already exist in Kerseley and Allesley.
The area of Finham covered by the new parish council is bordered by Green Lanes, the A45 Stonebridge Highway, Gretna Road and Howes Lane. It covers two polling districts in Coventry council’s Conservative-held Wainbody ward.
Councillor Tim Sawdon, of the Conservative opposition which has encouraged parish councils where local people want them, welcomed the decision.