About The Council

Thornbury Town Council is formed from 16 councillors in 4 wards, Thornbury North East, North West, South and South East. Individually, councillors hold no power, their authority only comes when sitting as a whole group, or a large enough number to be quorate. They are responsible for looking after the interests of the town and its residents and are elected for a four year term. The Council has a Chairman and Mayor who carries out civic duties such as attending local events and they also run the annual Town Youth Awards.

Councillors serve and represent their residents on a wide range of issues concerning their local area. They are approachable and available by phone or email for anyone who needs them and we hope that residents will have confidence in contacting their councillor. They may be able to provide information over the phone, or for more complex issues, can refer the matter to the next appropriate Council or committee meeting for discussion.

We also appreciate feedback on local issues and things that are important to you; if you don’t tell us, we won’t know. You can contact us at any time about things you are worried about or would like the Council to consider. We encourage residents to interact with us and aim to build and sustain good relationships across the local area.

As a Town Council, we have responsibility for some local parks, green spaces and the cemetery. We can offer grants to help local organisations and consult on local planning issues. We operate under the unitary authority of South Gloucestershire Council who operate wider services such as housing, tax and benefits and waste collections. Although we have separate areas of responsibility, we work closely with South Gloucestershire Council and may refer you to their services if we feel they are the most appropriate organisation to advise you.

Our Business Plan sets out the plan for how the Council will look to deliver its services and vision in a coordinated way in the best interests of all who live or work in the town or use the Council’s services. The plan sets out the Council’s values, vision, and key actions for the next two years. The action plan will be monitored and actioned through the Council’s Committees.

The Town Council is the first tier of local government. Councillors work collectively to shape and influence what happens both in your local area and more widely. By sharing your views with your local councillors, you help ensure they represent the community they were elected to serve. All decisions of the Council are made by majority vote and reflect the position of the Council as a whole.

The day-to-day responsibility for the running of the Town Council is managed by a qualified Town Clerk, Hannah Bowden. The Town Clerk is accountable to the Town Council. At Thornbury Town Council the Town Clerk is also the Responsible Finance Officer.