Possible end to council dispute

The principle of a payout was agreed at the outset but both parties could not agree on what amounted to a suitable settlement figure.
At one stage the impasse between the two authorities was so great that relations stood on the brink of breaking down, according to Councillor Francis Wilkinson, chairman of Little Chalfont Parish Council.
But, in the end, both Amersham and Little Chalfont plumped for mediation rather than possible litigation and Councillor Richard Pushman, vice chairman of Bucks County Council, was ultimately accepted as a suitable interlocutor.
Talks continued behind closed doors and involved Mr Wilkinson, representing Little Chalfont, and Councillor Michael Andrews-Reading, for Amersham.
After some months of negotiations Mr Pushman suggested a compromise figure - Little Chalfont had been hoping for a sum in the region of £100,000.
"It was a sum acceptable to us, " said Mr Wilkinson, "And Mr Andrews-Reading said he would be taking this recommendation back to Amersham Town Council."
Mr Wilkinson is hopeful an agreement will be forthcoming soon and he said: "It would be great to be able to move on, we would all like to move forward."
Amersham Town Council has remained non-commital. Town clerk Des Knowles declined to comment other than to say that the town could would be holding an extraordinary council meeting, in private session, on Monday evening.