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.
Mayor's Christmas Message
“I am writing this having just returned from the second night of the Victorian Festival; yet another resounding success in a remarkable year for Garstang, as it continues to weather the current recession. It has seen new retailers open in the town, along with the relocation of Booths and the opening of Cherestanc Square, and whilst still a difficult trading period and there have been casualties, overall Garstang has fared better than most.
The proposed parking changes for Garstang should be implemented later in 2010, and will at the same time ease problem areas in the town.
The year has seen the official closure of the Garstang and District Partnership, which over a period of 5 years has seen many benefits for Garstang and the surrounding area including a substantial contribution to the Rural Children’s Centre, the town’s shop front improvement scheme and grants of over £100k provided to more than 25 projects in and around the town.
The “Bloomers” have again come up trumps, winning Best Kept Village in Lancashire and Best Small Town in the North West. Next year the town is entered into the “Britain in Bloom National Finals”.
2010 should also see positive movement and a clear vision for the playing field at Kepple Lane. A draft plan recently received has produced exciting possibilities for all age groups.
2009 saw the start of the Girl Guide movement 100th anniversary year, a year in which Garstang has its very own County Commissioner, Julie Bell. The launch party was held at Myerscough Arena on the 6th September, where we were surrounded by 3,000 screaming girl guides!
These are examples of what makes Garstang so special…community, communication and co-operation, things the town has in abundance, which together with its army of volunteers go to make it a welcoming and inviting town to live, work and to visit. We should all be very proud of what this town has to offer.
Finally on behalf of Lynn and myself I would like to thank you for your warmth and hospitality this year, and hope that you have a happy Christmas, with every good wish for the New Year”.
Councillor Gordon Harter
Mayor, Garstang Town Council
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 2009/10 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 2009/9 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 including working with the Chamber on supporting the introduction of limited parking on the high street; introducing CCTV into the town centre, working to improve facilities and activities for young people in the town and recently achieving quality town council status.
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)