Town Council
WHAT IS A TOWN COUNCIL?
Parishes have been around for a long time and are the smallest areas of civil administration in England, providing the statutory tier of local government closest to the people, together with the Borough/District Councils and Lancashire County Council.
Town And Parish Councils have a wide range of duties and powers such as the maintenance of community buildings and land; provision of play areas; maintenance of village greens and rights of way. Powers to provide allotments.
Town and Parish Councils are the essence of local democracy and have a vital role in speaking and acting on behalf of the communities they represent. As a Town Council we comment on planning applications and can advise the County (Lancashire County Council) and Borough Authority (Wyre Borough Council) on the views of residents.
Town Council News
New Mayor and Co-option of new Councillors
At the Annual Town Council meeting held in May, Cllr Lady Dulcie Atkins was appointed Mayor of the Council, and Cllr Sandra Perkins; Deputy Mayor. In June, the Town Council filled the two vacancies that arose from the recent unopposed Town Council election. A warm welcome is given to Cllrs Alan Cornthwaite and Lynn Harter.
Quality Town Council Re-accreditation
The Lancashire and Merseyside Accreditation Panel have awarded the Town Council the re-accreditation of ‘Quality Town Council’. In order to achieve Quality Status, the Town Council had to demonstrate that it had reached the standard required by passing several tests. The tests included Electoral Mandate, Qualifications of the clerk, Council meetings, Communication and Community Engagement, Annual Report, Accounts, Code of Conduct, Promoting local democracy and citizenship and Training. The status lasts for a period of four years.
Queens Diamond Jubilee
The Mayor is planning to set up a working party to plan for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The 2012 late May bank holiday will be moved to Monday 4 June and an additional Jubilee bank holiday will be on Tuesday 5 June. Any body who would like to be involved in the planning of the celebrations should contact the Clerk as detailed below.
Police Station Consultation
The Town Council have been notified by Lancashire Police about the suggestion that Garstang Police Station should remain as a police station but the public counter service should be withdrawn. The proposal is part of a consultation exercise whereby the public are been asked for their views on the future of police premises and front counter services. The consultation will commence on 1 July for a period of three months. The Town Council are organising a public meeting with the police, to discuss the proposal with the community before a decision is made in the autumn.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS
All Town Council meetings are open to the public, and give the opportunity to electors to raise issues for the Council to answer or to carry forward for later debate. The meetings are held monthly and are led by the mayor (Chairman) and advised by the Town Clerk who is there to see that business is conducted within the law.
- For the agenda for the next Council meeting please click here.
- For the most recent Council meeting minutes please click here.
- For a list of Council meeting dates for 2011/12 please click here.
HOW IS THE TOWN COUNCIL FINANCED?
The Council gets their money mainly from local taxation - the precept - and from grants towards products and services. Income and expenditure for the next financial year are calculated in the form of estimates. For a copy of the 2010 end of year accounts please click here.
LOCAL COUNCILLORS
Local Councillors do not get paid. They give their time voluntary and are elected four years at a time. For a list of current Garstang Town Councillors please click here. Local councillors fulfil the following role:
- Act as a liaison between the electorate and the Borough and County Councils.
- Can influence other decisions makers.
- Represent the collective views of the residents.
- Can play an integral part in the consultation process for many local policies and planning documents.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Garstang Town Council are involved in a variety of local projects and issues, developing Kepple Lane playing field into a multi-use area for all members of the family and repairing the War Memorial in the town.
TOWN COUNCIL CONTACTS
| Town Clerk | Mrs Edwina Parry | The Beeches, Bay Horse, Lancaster, LA2 9AA | 07592 792801 | garstangtc@btinternet.com |
| Lengthsman | Mr Martyn Rossall | |||
Martyn is an employee of Garstang Town Council. His duties include sweeping up the litter, trimming back hedges and cutting some of the grass verges in the town. Martyn makes a considerable difference to the tidiness of the town. If you have any reports of neglect in the town of Garstang, which need attention by Martyn, please contact Councillors David Williams (605202)