Annual Report 2010

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Annual Report 2010

Introduction from the Town Mayor, Councillor David Weekes -

I was honoured to be selected as Town Mayor for my home town, where I grew up, following my service as Member and Committee Chairman to the Town Council for six years.  It is a great pleasure to attend other functions across Devon representing and promoting Okehampton.

Local Government review is ongoing but uncertain, but we as a Council are mindful of more challenges for this tier of local government and have to communicate/engage with the public more to examine issues openly; an example is the initiative to create a record of modern history for the town - I ask anyone to offer interesting stories or old pictures of the last fifty years to the Council for this project.

I wish to award four recipients of the town a certificate in recognition of achievements for Okehampton, these can be community groups or individuals pursuing a project, looking after something or someone (without particular category or age) - the awards to be presented on Mayor Choosing Day - Wednesday 12 May 2010.  In accord with tradition I have adopted two of the town's charities to support during my term of office, Age Concern and the Friends of Dartmoor Railway.

 


Okehampton Town Council has fourteen elected members who are volunteers and undertake their work and decision making through a committee structure - Policy & Resources, Property, Parks and Planning.  All meetings are open to the public and press with dates and timings advertised on the Council notice board in the Arcade and on the website.  At the commencement of each meeting members of the public have the opportunity to ask questions.  The minutes of the meetings are open to inspection by any local elector, they are displayed in the public library and in the Town Hall which is open to the public during normal working hours and are also on the website.  The Council members were elected in May 2007 for 4 years with some co-option after the election or by election in 2008 with further co-option in 2009.  Council members do not receive payment for expenses and act within the ethical framework laid down by law.

The Council operates and manages the civic buildings including the lease for the cinema, Simmons Park and is involved in the role of the community to provide a democratic representational voice for Okehampton.  This involves making representations to the County and Borough Councils concerning matters of relevance to the town such as highways, transport, planning and development control.
 
Grants - The Local Government Act 1972 section 137 allows this Council to support local community groups and make those groups aware of clear criteria for obtaining supporting grants.  Accordingly, the Town Council grant fund many organisations throughout the year including the Tourist Information Centre, Chamber of Commerce Christmas lights, Ockment Centre, Museum of Dartmoor Life and Okehampton Carnival etc.  Application forms are available from the Town Hall for the financial year 2010/11.
 
From February 2009 and subjection to qualification, the Town Council can adopt the power of well being.  This, subject to funds, would enable the Council to have power to do anything which was considered would achieve economic, social or environmental well being to the area or to the whole or any part of the local authority's area or all or any person resident or present at that time.