Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council

Moreton in Marsh Town Council is first tier local government (therefore the closest to the people), followed by the Cotswold District Council and then Gloucestershire County Council. There is some confusion as to what the difference between a Parish and Town Council is. The answer is simple – nothing, they are exactly the same. However, a Town Council can elect a Mayor to be Head of Council instead of a Chairman.

Parish/Town Councils have many powers if they choose to use them, it is how and which of these powers that Councillors decide to use, that makes a vibrant forward thinking Council and can bring positive benefits to make the lives of their local communities more comfortable by representing the whole electorate within the parish, delivering and coordinating services to meet local needs and striving to improve the quality of life in the parish.

Parish/Town Councils were created in law, they can only act within the law by exercising their powers and functions which have been conferred on them by Statutes (i.e. Acts of Parliament). Anything a Parish/Town Council tries to do outside these powers is ultra vires, in other words, outside the law.

The range of powers available to Parish/Town Councils continues to change and proposals announced by the Coalition Government especially in relation to "Decentralisation and Localism" give a clear indication about the Government's plans to reinvigorate local politics by giving more power to Councils and communities. However, the message is clear – services are to be improved by bringing them closer and making them more responsive to local communities.

Moreton in Marsh Town Council is responsible for burials, allotments, parks & amenities and the High Street car park (the area where the market operates from each Tuesday, approx 80 parking spaces). The Town Council has also adopted the public open space at Blenheim Farm. This lease runs for c250 years.

The Town Council also owns the Redesdale Hall, in the High Street and takes responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the exterior of the building, whereas the interior and running of the Hall is looked after by the Redesdale Hall Management Committee.

The Town Council also comment on planning applications within the parish too.

Moreton in Marsh Town Council employs a full-time Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, a part-time Assistant to the Clerk and a full-time Workman.

Parish/Town Councils do not receive Council Tax directly from the public, but are primarily funded, at present, from a small percentage of the Council Tax charge made by the Cotswold District Council to parishioners. This is known as the Precept and the Town Council apply for this by the end of February each year. Parish/Town Council budgets are a tiny part of the whole Council Tax and Parish/Town Councils do not receive any Government funding or income from business rates.

Information available from Moreton Town Council

Model Publication Scheme re Freedom of Information Action 2008.pdf

Council Organisation

Committee Terms of Reference

NDP Working Group Terms of Reference