Stalbridge Annual Town Meeting
All Parish and Town Councils throughout England are required by law to hold an Annual Parish/ Town Meeting, which must take place between 1st March and the 1st June (inclusive).
Meetings should not commence before 6.00 pm.
This is, in legal terms, a quite separate body from the Town Council, but it is invariably the Parish Council that arranges it (simply because it is unlikely that anyone else will do so). Its decisions are not binding on the Town Council, though a wise Council will normally want to take heed of what is said at the meeting.
The Annual Town Meeting is a legacy from the Middle Ages, when local Town & Parish Councils did not exist, and all local decision making was carried out by meetings of the whole community.
The Annual Town Meeting is open to all electors of Stalbridge including Stalbridge Weston, who have the right not only to attend but also to speak on any matter of local interest. This is in contrast to a Parish Council meeting, where electors who are not Councillors have no automatic right to speak (although Stalbridge Town Council does have a set time before any Town meeting when electors can raise matters).
What is the purpose of the Annual Parish Meeting?
The purpose of the meeting is to give the Town Council, and other local organisations an opportunity to let local residents know what they have been doing over the past year. The meeting is also an opportunity for electors to have a say on anything they consider valuable to the people of the Town.
Who will chair the meeting?
The Chairman of the Town Council will chair the meeting or in his/her absence the Vice Chairman.
Will Town Councillors be at the meeting?
All Town Councillors will be invited to attend. Councillors will also have an opportunity to raise questions and make comments if they wish. However, the purpose of the meeting is to enable the electors to find out what is going on in their parish and to have their say.
Who can attend the meeting?
The Annual Town Meeting is for all electors of the Town. It is not a meeting of the Town Council. Anyone is welcome to attend the meeting however, only registered electors of the parish may speak and vote during the meeting.
Will I be able to ask questions and make suggestions?
Any registered elector may ask a question of the Council which will usually be answered by the Chair, the Clerk or the Council, or a designated Councillor at the meeting or at a later date. An elector may also make a suggestion and comment on anything pertinent to the residents of the Town. This will be welcomed and is the whole purpose of the meeting.
How long will the meeting last ?
It really depends on those present, the number of questions and the discussion that is raised. Generally, the meeting will last no longer than 2 hours.
Will notes of the meeting be taken?
A written record of the meeting will be taken and presented at the next Annual Town meeting for approval.
Where can I get copies of papers for the meeting?
The agenda calling the meeting is published 7 clear days before the meeting. The agendas and reports for meetings are available for download on this website and can be viewed on the TC notice board at the top of Station Rd & the Hub Lobby Window. If you would like to receive printed copies, contact the Town Council Office
