THE article on the launch of the For Darwen Party quotes its representative as saying that they want a town council, in order to take decisions on matters such as social services, regeneration and planning.

Unfortunately, town councils legally do not have these powers nor did Darwen Council have control over social services and it had only limited powers on planning - these were handled by Lancashire County Council as was education.

The powers of town councils are limited and are funded by an additional council tax on top of the existing council tax.

In Clitheroe, where they already have a town council, residents have to pay an extra council tax of between £12 and £35 for the privilege.

The basic difference between a town and parish council is that a town council has a mayor.

It may be that people in Darwen are happy to pay extra council tax for a town council with limited powers.

But it is dishonest for the For Darwen Party to suggest that a town council will be able to do things that it can't do.

And it is dishonest for them not to spell out how much extra council tax people would have to pay.

For myself, I have no disagreement with Darwen having its own town council, but the people of Darwen do need to have the correct information as it is they who will ultimately pick up the bill.

COUNCILLOR NIGEL NUTTALL, Harwood Street, Darwen.