Public apathy has seen elections for Billericay town and parish councils abandoned. Just why is no-one interested in grass roots politics? SAMUEL SMITH reports.

Dingy meetings, glamourless and wielding little power.

Is this your impression of parish and town councils? It certainly appears to be the case in Billericay.

Election organisers have been stunned by the lack of interest from parishioners in getting involved in politics on their patch.

So few people have put their names forward to contest for a seat on the parish council that the whole election has now had to be cancelled. Just 34 candidates stepped forward to challenge the 44 seats.

Central to this crisis is a breakdown in relations with borough and district councils.

Councillor Peter Patrick (Con, Billericay East) understands why parish councillors get frustrated. However he added he has little time for them.

He said: "Parish councils were forced upon us. They have very little power or influence and, in my opinion, there is no particular reason why anyone should want to serve on them."

Recent events have only served to add to a negative public perception of parish council work.

Last year Little Burstead Parish Council's chairman courted controversy with predictions many councillors would stand down in the next elections in May 2000.

Councillor Mark Dale said residents had put them through "hell" after £1,000 was added to the council budget to help fund millennium projects.

Mr Dale said the antagonism generated from residents over the issue had disillusioned the parish's five councillors.

He said: "There was talk from residents such as 'what do you do for us' and 'you are not getting anything done' and 'you don't speak for the village' which is not pleasant. It would be fair to say they gave the council hell."

Mr Dale apologised for his comments, faced a unanimous vote of no confidence from other council members and was forced to resign.

The crisis highlights some of the difficulties parish councils face with an electorate frustrated at the lack of power of their elected representatives.

Geoff Fulford, clerk of Leigh Town Council, is involved in one of south Essex's newest town councils.

Established in 1996, Leigh has 16 independent councillors serving more than 20,000 residents.

Mr Fulford said: "We find it extremely useful in representing the people of Leigh."

Services up and running thanks to their efforts include a transport programme to take elderly people to the theatre.

Mr Fulford added: "With only 30 per cent of people bothering to vote in our elections you start with the assumption that the majority are not desperately interested how their local government is organised as long as things are working and the bins are being emptied.

"People who take an interest do value us because we can put that alternative point of view which is spared from party dogma."

Patrick Dunleavy, professor of government at the London School of Economics, said he felt the current system was leaving parish councils out of the loop.

He said: "My impression is that all is not well with the parish council. Turn-out for elections is inconsequential and it is very hard to see that they are vigorous or effective bodies.

"The whole problem is that they have a tiny budget. They can lobby the main authority but that is all they are - a local interest group."

Open day - just a handful of people turned up to find out about becoming councillors

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.