Marlow's identity under threat?

A change in our electoral system could threaten Marlow's 'spirit and identity', according to ex-Mayor Derek Done.

Done, who is also a former Wycombe District Council Planning Chairman, refers to the new plans which would mean placing a large area of our town - to the east of Glade Road and north of the railway line - into a new Flackwell Heath, Little Marlow and Marlow South East electoral district.

As it stands, Marlow residents vote two councillors into Buckinghamshire County Council, which is responsible for roads and education and oversees a sizeable budget of £319 million.

Marlow Town Council's electoral areas may also be changed and the existing Marlow South East area split into two.

Speaking on behalf of The Marlow Society, Derek Done expressed concerns that the new system could lead to a further 'blurring of the sense of community identity that has already resulted from redrawing the parliamentary constituency boundaries to place Marlow alongside Beaconsfield, a town which Marlow has no shared history.'

Final recommendations will be published in January.

Visit The Marlow Society website here