Shefford Town Council

The Town Council consists of 15 residents of Shefford plus a Town Clerk.

Town councillors are unpaid volunteers who want to assist with the running and administration of their community. Any adult member of our community can be elected or co-opted onto the town council, provided there are sufficient vacancies. The Council members serve for a term of four years, after which an election is held.

Committees
The Full Council meets once per month, usually the last Friday of the month. The Full Council is assisted by three sub-committees:-

The Finance and Policy and the Service and Maintenance committees meet once a month.
The Planning and Environmental committee meets twice per month so that applications for planning permission can be returned to the District Council quickly.

	Shefford Town Council

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What is the Town Council? Who is the Town Council?
The Town Council consists of 15 residents of Shefford plus a Town Clerk. Town councillors are unpaid volunteers who want to assist with the running and administration of their community. Any adult member of our community can be elected or co-opted onto the town council, provided there are sufficient vacancies. The Council members serve for a term of four years, after which an election is held. Committees The Full Council meets once per month, usually the last Friday of the month. The Full Council is assisted by three sub-committees:- Finance and Policy Services and Maintenance Planning and Environmental The Finance and Policy and the Service and Maintenance committees meet once a month. The Planning and Environmental committee meets twice per month so that applications for planning permission can be returned to the District Council quickly.

Town Council Officers
Town Councillors hold internal elections annually to select members to act as officers of the council. The posts are :-
	Town Mayor Deputy Mayor Chair of Finance and Policy Committee Chair of Services and Maintenance Committee Chair of Planning and Environment Committee

The Town Clerk is a paid employee of the Town Council and not necessarily a resident of Shefford.
Present Town Councillors are:-
	Mr. P F. J. Mackin	Town Mayor
	Mrs. J. M. Harrison	Deputy Mayor
	Mr. C. K. Steeples	Chair of Finance and Policy Committee
	Mrs. J. F. Holmes	Chair of Planning and Environmental Committee
	Mr. M. A. Wren	Chair of Services and Maintenance Committee
	Mrs Deborah Clark	Councillor
	Mr. P G. Fisher	Councillor
	Mr. A. N. Gray	Councillor
	Mrs. T. L. Reddick	Councillor
	Mr. J. R. Leith	Councillor
	Mr. M. R. Coward	Councillor
	Mr. R. Dear	Councillor
	Ms. N. King	Councillor
	Mr. M. Smith	Councillor
	Mr. K. Pollard	Councillor

Committee Responsibilities
The Town Council is required to provide a wide range of services for the community of Shefford. In order to take the time to pay proper attention to matters affecting these services the main or Full Council is advised by sub-committees. The sub-committees are composed of councillors who may have a particular interest or skill in the various areas covered.
Finance and Policy Committee
	All matters relating to finance including budget setting Policy decisions Adoption of land and equipment (Play areas) Purchase of land New signs Policing matters Civic and Community awards Issue of Bus Passes Bedfordshire Local Plan Review

Planning and Environmental Committee
	Planning applications Footpaths, bridleways & riverside areas Street naming Environmental issues Enhancement projects Public Rights of Way

Services and Maintenance Committee
	Roads Drains Trees Hedges Play areas Street Lighting Street furniture Grass cutting Public seating Public open spaces Policing issues Signs Provision of Facilities for young people

Outside Representatives
In addition to these committees councillors are required to sit on ‘internal working groups’ and other community bodies.

STMA (1)		Mrs Harrison
Wanderbus(2)		Mr Steeples, Mrs Clark
Crime Prevention Liaison Officer (1)		Mr Gray
Town Band Trustees (2)		Mr Gray, Mr Coward
S E Beds Forum (2)		Mrs Holmes, Mr Leith
Town Centre Partnership (2)		Mrs Harrison, Mr Dear
Newsline (4)		Mr Mackin, Mrs Harrison, Mr Steeples, Mrs Holmes
Bloomfield Games Association (2)		Mr Mackin, Mr Leith
Shefford Sports Trust (1)		Mr Gray
Joint Burial Committee		All Members of Council

Appointed until date shown:

Robert Lucas Trust (3)		Mrs Harrison (July'08), Mrs McGregor (July'09), Mrs Faircloth (July'10)
Governor of Shefford Lower School(1)		Mr Mackin (February '08)
Shefford Community Hall Managing Trustee(1)		Mr Fisher

Council Meeting Dates
	1st Wed. of the Month	2nd Wed. of the Month	3rd Wed. of the Month	Last Fri. of the Month
Planning and Environmental Committee	19:30		19:15 - Plans only
Services and Maintenance Committee		19:30
Finance and Policy Committee			19:30
Full Council				19:45