Barnsley Council will have to decide whether to fund Brierley town council's services if it is abolished
Residents are voting on whether to abolish a South Yorkshire town council.
The ballot will decide the fate of Brierley Town Council which came under fire after its former council clerk was jailed for fraud.
If scrapped, Barnsley Council will have to decide whether to fund services currently paid for by the parish precept at a cost of £157,000 a year.
The Secretary of State will also have to be consulted if people vote in favour of the move.
Voting started earlier and residents have until Thursday to have their say with a count taking place on Friday.
Former town clerk Janet Cooper was jailed for eight years in 2013 after pleading guilty to fraud and theft offences.
The town council was forced to take out almost £1.3m in loans to cope with the financial implications arising from the fraudulent activity.
A council report, external said residents were of the view they were "paying a substantial precept effectively to service a loan arising from the dishonesty of the former clerk".
- Published5 February 2015
- Published27 February 2014
