• The Annual Town Meeting this year will be held on Wednesday, 18 April at the Westwoods Centre. George Hudson of Farmington Trust will be speaking about the work of the Trust and the part it wishes to play in the future of Northleach. Further details will be available nearer to the time.

The Electoral Process

Every four years residents of the Town of Northleach and the hamlet of Eastington elect eleven representatives to serve on the Town Council to represent their views and manage the Town within the Powers and Duties allowed by legislation.  The next scheduled elections will take place in May 2011 together with elections for Cotswold District Council. 

If you are interested in standing for election you should contact the Elections Office at Cotswold District Council elections@cotswold.gov.uk or the Town Clerk clerk@northleach.gov.uk as soon as possible, to ensure that you received the correct information and nomination forms in good time as all dates and times for the election process are statutory.

• During the last elections in 2007, there were 14 nominations for 11 seats but in 2011 there were only 9 nominations and 2 Councillors were co-opted to fill the remaining vacancies.

The scope of work for Parish and Town Councils is enormous and whilst they may not appear to be of great importance and as high profile as the County and District Councils, they can influence the issues that affect people in their immediate area and their day to day lives.  They range from allotments, churchyards and cemeteries, footpaths, lighting, planning, public seating, shelters, recreation and open spaces, War Memorials and much more. The way in which the Council carries out its work is set down in Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.

Some areas of responsibility overlap between the 3 tiers and in recent years there has been greater interest from all levels to work in partnership to increase efficiency and cut costs.

Being a Town Councillor is an enjoyable way of contributing to your community and helping to make it a better place to live and work.

There is much confusion about who does what in the 3 tiers of local government.  We have all heard people complain about ‘THE’ Council – but which one does what ?

In May each year the Council holds an Annual General Meeting when it elects a Chairman / Mayor, a Vice Chairman / Deputy Mayor and also decides who will sit on each of the Committees.

• The current Councillors’ contact details and areas of responsibility can be seen if you click here.
• The Council also employs staff to carry out its work.  Click here for contact details and responsibilities.
  

The Council meets approximately 10 times per year, usually on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Westwoods Centre.  Please check dates and times on the Market Place noticeboard or by clicking here for Council agendas.

The day to day work of the Council is carried out by 4 Committees:

This funding is raised through local Council Tax with other income coming from grants (mainly for specific projects).

• Monthly Receipts & Payments
  
  

  Jan	Feb	Mar	April	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
  			11	11	11	11

• 2010 – 2011 Year End Financial Statement
• 2011 – 2012 Budget

The Annual Accounts are audited each year by an Auditor appointed by the Audit Commission as well as the Council’s own Auditor.

CDC is the Planning Authority and makes the decision whether applications are passed or not. However, it has a statutory obligation to consult the Town Council on all applications within its area and responses must be made within a given time period. The Committee currently consists of all 11 Councillors.

Details of all planning applications can be found on CDC's website:

http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=2297

This committee is responsible for the maintenance and management of the Centre and obtains its funding from bookings. It currently consists of 3 elected Members and the Westwoods Supervisor who meet approx. 5 - 6 times per year. The Centre is largely self-funding but the Council does put aside money for maintenance following a 25 year plan developed by a helpful resident who is now a Councillor.
Westwoods Centre Booking Calendar

Whether you are looking for a venue for your child’s Christening, a Party or Wedding Celebrations then come along, see Brian, have a look around and see what we have to offer.

• Planning an Exhibition or a Table Top Sale?
  Want to join in with Keep Fit, Tai Chi, Pilates, Zumba Dancing?
  Interested in Photography, Art, History, Fine Arts or Gardens?
  Do you have a 1 – 5 year old wanting to play and socialise?
  Have you got an Anniversary Party due or a ‘BIG’ Birthday to celebrate? (Unfortunately not 16 – 25 year old unless by special arrangement) Special Party rate for young children.
• Do you want to organise a meeting where Wi Fi, Screens, Digital Projector, Sound System, White Boards and Flip Charts are all available if required?
• Do you want to organise a Frog Race, a Barn Dance, a Charity Auction, a Band Practice, a Go Cart Party or a Fashion Show, then all of these are possible at the Westwoods Centre.
• Are you keen on Guiding? Rainbows, Brownies and Guides are here.
• Do you want a Summer BBQ with a Bar?
• Fancy a game of Badminton or Table Tennis?
• Interested in Gaming, then come and join in with the LAN Gamers when they are holding an event. The facilities for this are unlikely to be found or bettered elsewhere and you can pitch your tent in the garden and enjoy the event 24/7.
  
  The Westwoods Centre is a great venue for all sorts of things, our kitchen has been refurbished and its use is now included in our all-inclusive new price list. Parking is adjacent, off road and plentiful. We are very disabled friendly with everything on one level.
  The Westwoods is YOUR Community Centre so whatever you want to do, come and see if you can do it at the Westwoods.
  
  Tel: 01451 861499, email: westwoods@northleach.gov.uk
  Brian is in the Office daily 8.30 am until 11.0 am or as required.

PLUS Mothers & Toddlers, Guides, Brownies, WI, Historical Society, U3A, NADFAS and much more! Visit the Clubs & Groups pages to view information about local societies, sports & clubs.

For information regarding any of the above or for any booking be it corporate or private then please contact Brian Crossley on 01451 861499 or email,  westwoods@northleach.gov.uk

                                      ..........follow this link to view the Westwoods Centre Diary!

The Council is involved with many projects in the Town – some are short term whilst others take much longer to complete such as:

• Town Council News
• Multi Use Games Area
• Repair of Listed Tombstones in St Peter & St Paul Churchyard 
• Resilience Planning
• Community Day Working Parties
• Affordable Housing
• Design Statement

Community Led Projects
The Council has also supported the work of the Town Plan Steering Group

Land Management
Various areas around Northleach are managed and maintained by the Council for other organisations, some of whom pay for this service.

Grass verges – many of these are the responsibility of Gloucestershire Highways who pay the Council 8p per metre to cut twice per year.  The Council is currently negotiating with Cotswold District Council to take over cutting of areas in the Town in their ownership.  The income from grass cutting does not come anywhere near to covering the cost and the Council see its contribution as a service to the community.  It does not, however, take responsibility for maintaining land in private ownership.

Allotments – the Mill End site is owned by Fields in Trust (previously National Playing Fields Association) and managed by the Council who then leases the site to the members of Northleach Nangles Allotments Association.

Wills and Hamilton Meadows –
Hamilton Meadow is a continuation of the Playing Field and whilst it is owned by the Town Council, it is vested in the King George V Playing Field Trust. 
Wills Meadow (the Water Meadow) which is adjacent to the Eastington Road is owned by Fields in Trust and managed by the Town Council just as the Allotments are.

For further information about the Town Council contact:
Caroline Braidwood, Town Clerk   clerk@northleach.gov.uk 
Nicola Owens, Admin & Project Assistant  admin@northleach.gov.uk

For further information about the Westwoods Centre contact:
Brian Crossley   westwoods@northleach.gov.uk

Please send your feedback and comments to:
Caroline Braidwood,  Northleach Town Clerk, The Westwoods Centre, Basset Road, 
Northleach, Glos. GL54 3QJ

Telephone/Fax: 01451 861499 e-mail: clerk@northleach.gov.uk

For feedback regarding this website please contact: Gillian Fothergill webserver@northleach.gov.uk