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What is the Role of the Town Council

Local council is a universal term for community, village, neighbourhood, parish and town councils. They are the first tier of local government and are statutory bodies. They serve communities and are elected by residents. They can raise their own precept (a form of council tax). There are 10,000 local councils in England and 120,000 councillors who serve on these local councils.

Marazion Town Council has eleven councillors who represent the community by engaging with:

  • Cornwall Council on planning matters and applications as a statutory consultee.
  • Cornwall Council Highways, Environment, Enforcement, Waste and Recycling.
  • Local parliamentarians and government
  •  Local Police and other agencies as necessary

Marazion Town Council provides and is responsible for:-

  • Allotments
  • Marazion cemetery
  • Bus shelters
  • Public toilets
  • Play areas
  • The Memorial Garden
  • Arranging of and staging celebratory and of commemorative events

Role of a Town Councillor

The primary role of a Marazion Town Councillor is to represent the town of Marazion and the people who live in it.  Town Councillors provide a bridge between the community, the town council, and any other statutory body for example Cornwall Council.

As well as being an advocate for residents and signposting them to the right people at the council, a town councillor also needs to keep residents informed about the issues that affect them or may affect them.

To understand and represent local views and priorities, town councillors need to build strong relationships and encourage local people to make their views known and engage with you and the council. Good communication and engagement are central to being an effective councillor.

As a local town councillor, your residents will expect that you: –

  • respond to their queries and investigate their concerns (casework)
  • communicate council decisions that affect them.
  • know your patch and be aware of any problems.
  • know and work with representatives of local organisations, interest groups and businesses.
  • represent their views at council meetings.
  • lead local campaigns on their behalf.