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Minehead Town Council Election Nominations are Uncontested

Published: 11th April 2011 12:39

15 nominations were submitted for this year's elections. However, Minehead Town Council should have 16 representatives for the people of Minehead and Alcombe.

These are the 15 representatives who will be Minehead Town councillors from 5th May 2011:

Minehead - Alcombe Ward

• Paul Nicholas GRIERSON
• Marcus Dov KRAVIS
• Danny MCGEE
• Valerie WELCH

Minehead Central

• Anna Charlotte BLAKE
• John Dennis CLYDE-SMITH
• Stephen GRICE
• Oliver Crombie HARVEY
• Ernest Stanley TAYLOR

Minehead South

• Fausto Roberto LALOMIA
• Les SMITH
• Molly Elizabeth STUDLEY

Minehead North

• Ron BRIDLE
• Steve PICKARD
• Terry John VENNER

Only 3 wards in the TA22, TA23 and TA24 areas are being contested.  For information of candidates please go to (links open in same window):

• Dulverton

• Dunster

• Watchet

About Parish & Town Councils

There are around 10,000 community, parish and town councils in England and Wales; they are corporate bodies and local authorities. They have a powerful voice to represent local people.

What do these councils do?
Community, parish and town councils are the part of local government closest to the people. They serve the smallest area and are responsible for the most local of matters. Very importantly, these councils can "precept" - raising a sum collected with the council tax each year to improve facilities and services for local people.

In England they are called parish councils or town councils, if they cover a largely urban area. In Wales they are known as community councils. In both England and Wales they are elected units of local government whose activities are controlled by Acts of Parliament.

Parish, town and community councils in England and Wales have a number of basic responsibilities in making the lives of local communities more comfortable, many of which are often taken for granted. Essentially, these powers fall within three main categories:

1. representing the whole electorate within the parish;
2. delivering services to meet local needs; and
3. striving to improve quality of life in the parish.

Individual powers include the provision and maintenance of community transport schemes, traffic calming measures, local youth projects, tourism activities, leisure facilities, car parks, village greens, public lavatories, litter bins, street lighting, street cleaning, burial grounds, allotments, bus shelters, commons, open spaces, footpaths, bridleways and crime reduction measures.

Community, parish and town councils can also comment on planning applications - they are statutory consultees (they have to be consulted if they so wish) and can be represented at public inquiries.

Parish, town and community councils may soon be granted more powers, especially as part of Quality Status. When councils are awarded this status they are allowed to negotiate with the local principal authorities (the district or county council or unitary authority) that certain responsibilities get devolved to the parish. This is part of the government's initiative to revitalise local democracy.

What do elected representatives do for me?
Community, parish and town councillors represent the people living in their local area at the closest level to the community. When decisions are being made they are there to put your views across.

 

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