Councillors are to be asked tonight to approve plans which could lead to a new town council for Sheerness.

It would be the first time the town has had its own council for 50 years.

A 635-signature petition organised by volunteers on the Sheerness Town Team was handed to Swale council in August asking for a community governance review.

If approved, all 7,937 Sheerness residents on the electoral roll will be given the chance to comment on the proposal in the new year.

Retired businessman Brian Spoor, who chairs the town team, said: “Sheerness needs its own voice. Swale council tries its best, but with two other towns to worry about, Sheerness sometimes slips off its radar. ”

But he admitted all that comes at a cost. He said: “Simple things like ensuring the town has Christmas lights or flowers are a headache when we have to go cap in hand to councillors, businesses and the public for cash.

“If Sheerness had its own income it could decide how best to spend the money for the good of the town.”

Swale already has two town councils at Queenborough and Faversham and 33 similar parish councils including Eastchurch, Leysdown, Minster and Warden.

All collect money via council tax to spend exclusively in their area.

Charges for a band D property range from £27 a year in Minster, through £53 in Faversham to £83 in Queenborough.

Swale Ukip councillor Richard Darby, who represents Queenborough and Halfway and is a member of both Queenborough Town Council and the Sheerness Town Team, said: “It is important Sheerness as the Island’s main town should be able to make its own decisions. ”

But Labour Swale councillor Angela Harrison, who represents Sheerness, believes it could be a costly extra tier of government bureaucracy.

She said: “Sheerness is one of the most deprived areas in the UK. I don’t think the majority of residents can afford to pay any more. ”

Tonight’s meeting is open to the public and will be held at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, from 7pm.