What is a town council? …. Where do we work? …. • Parish Boundary of Ludlow 15 Ward Councillors How do you join? … • Election Timetable Team Work • Decisions made by Council & Committee as a corporate body • Services are managed by the Town Clerk and staff
What is a Town Council • A council is a corporate body with perpetual succession. • Councillors are elected; and each council appoints a Chair from the councillors. • Town councils have a wide range of powers under different acts of Parliament. Most of these powers are discretionary • A council must act within the law. It can only spend, raise or use money if it has a statutory power to do so, otherwise it acts ultra vires (beyond its powers). • Policy has centred on the fact that they act as a focus for local opinion, and provide a way to get things done in a way that is best suited to their local community. • A town council has the unfettered right to raise money by precept (a mandatory demand) on the principle council.
Where we Work Parish Ward Map
Where we Work Members of Ludlow Town Council Bringewood Ward: Councillor R Jones Councillor Kemp Clee View Ward: Councillor S Newbold Councillor C Sheward Corve Ward: Councillor G Ginger Councillor V Parry Gallows Bank Ward: Councillor G Perks Councillor A Cobley Councillor M Jones Hayton Ward: Councillor J Newbold Councillor M Clarke Rockspring Ward: Councillor P Draper Councillor D Lyle Whitcliffe Ward: Councillor J Smithers Councillor T Gill
How do you join Election Timetable • Every four years there is an all-out election – for all 15 seats • Elections are run by Shropshire Council • Election Day – 4th May 2017 • Notice of Election – 13th March 2017 • Close of Nominations – 4th April 2017 at 4pm • Close of Withdrawals - 4th April 2017 at 4pm • Statement of Persons Nominated – 5th April 2017 at 4pm • Councillors serve for four years unless they decide to resign
Team Work Decisions are made by Council or Committee • Ideas are discussed and Advice provided by Working Groups Committee or Group Number of meetings Full Council 9 Policy & Finance Committee 8 Services Committee 8 Representational Committee 14 Civic Events Working Group 3 Communications Working Group 1 Budget Working Group 2 Markets Working Group 3 Staffing & Appeals Committee 2 Annual Residents Meeting 1 Town Plan Working Group 2 Twinning Working Group 1 Youth Market Working Group 1 Total 55
The Role of the Chairman • The Chairman of the Council is also known as the Mayor; and is in charge during council meetings; • Chairman is an office created by legislation commanding respect. • The Mayor and Committee Chairmen are elected at the Annual Meeting of the Council for one year. • Mayor and Committee Chairmen have a duty to ensure that council meetings run smoothly, that all business is properly considered and all councillors who wish to speak can do so. It is good practice for the chairman to refer to the clerk for advice. • The Mayor and chairmen has few special powers. For instance, it is unlawful for a council to delegate decision making to any individual councillor and the chairman is no different. • However, when a vote is tied, the chairman may use a second, or casting vote. • The Mayor often enjoys a special relationship with the public.
The Role of a Councillor As a councillor you have a responsibility to: • attend meetings when summoned to do so; • consider, in advance of the meeting, the agenda and any related documents which were sent to you with the summons • take part in meetings and consider all the relevant facts and issues on matters which require a decision including the views of others expressed at the meeting • take part in voting and respect decisions made by the majority • ensure, with other councillors, that the council is properly managed • represent the whole electorate, and not just those who voted for you. • The best councils will have councillors and a clerk who work as a team to provide a service for the community. • Councillors may not be paid employees of their council (as there is an unacceptable conflict of interest) and may not become employees of their former council until at least 12 months after ceasing to be a Councillor.
The Role of the Town Clerk • The Town Clerk is the ‘engine’ of an effective council. The Clerk is its principal adviser, and the officer responsible for the administration of its financial affairs. • The Clerk is required to give clear guidance to Councillors, including the Chair, before decisions are reached, even when that guidance may be unpalatable. • The Clerk has a key role in advising the council, and Councillors, on governance, ethical and procedural matters. • They must also liaise with the Monitoring Officer at the district/unitary council on ethical issues and the Councillors’ Register of Interests. • The Clerk is responsible for advising the council on staffing provision, the recruitment process; and the Clerk line manages staff. • The Clerk is the proper officer of the council in law. Legally councils can delegate decisions to clerks because they are trusted professional officers whose objectivity allows them to act for the council. • The Clerk is an independent and objective employee of the council who takes instructions from the corporate body and must recognise that the council is responsible for all corporate decisions.
Team Work STAFF The Town Clerk provides policy & technical information to Council and The Town Council is responsible for:- manages the staff, who provide local services relating to: • Local Information • Website & social media • Quarterly Town Council Newsletter • Ludlow Calendar of Events • Consultations • Community Grant Funding • Ludlow Market • Public Toilets • Henley Road Cemetery • Ludlow Museum at the Buttercross • The Guildhall Offices & Meeting Chamber • Civic Events - Mayor Making; Mayor’s Sunday & Remembrance Sunday • Street Trading • Amenity/Play Areas • The Linney Riverside Park • Wheeler Road Recreation Area & Skate Park • Allotments • Christmas Lights • Responding to Planning applications as a statutory consultee
Supporting the local community A Chance for Questions …
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