Bilston bidding for first town council in 40 years

Bilston is bidding to have its very own elected town council for the first time in over 40 years, it emerged today. Groups in the town are drawing up proposals to set up the new council, Lord Bilston revealed.

Town councils help deliver services to meet local needs and improve quality of life for residents.

Members of a town council make decisions on traffic calming measures, car parks, street lighting and crime reduction measures.

Lord Bilston, former MP for Wolverhampton South East Dennis Turner, said: "This is a brand new idea. If we have a town council it gives us some freedom and will help to restore the identity of Bilston. We are going to sit down now and set out the finer details. We will then send the application into the Government. We hope to see things happening by July."

Black Country Memories Club and the Rotary Club of Bilston are both interested in setting up the council.

Bilston had its own council up until 1966, holding its last meeting in March that year before joining Wolverhampton. It was a controversial move.