Since local government re-organisation in 1974 the local authority
functions have been carried out by the Alton Town Council (which
has the status of a Parish Council), the East Hampshire District
Council and the Hampshire County Council.
The Town Council’s functions include the management of over
90 acres of recreation grounds and open space which cater for virtually
all the outdoor sporting facilities and recreation in the town;
letting of the Assembly Rooms and allotments, of which there are
several sites throughout the town. It has a number of other roles,
one of the most important of which is commenting on planning applications
submitted to the East Hampshire District Council.
Most recently it has assumed the role of Market Authority from the
District Council. You can contact the Council via e-mail: info@alton.gov.uk.
The Town Mayor is elected annually and presides over meetings and
represents the Town Council at many functions as the principal citizen
of the town. The East Hampshire District Council whose offices area
at Penns Place, Petersfield, carries out the functions of Planning,
Environmental Health, Housing, Refuse Collection and Leisure Services.
The Hampshire County Council whose offices are at The Castle, Winchester
carries out the functions of Highway Authority and provides Education
and Social Services and oversees the Hampshire Police Authority
and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Town Mayor’s Badge of Office
The Town Council has a Badge of Office and Chain which the Town
Mayor wears on official occasions. The Badge which was originally
designed and purchased by the former Alton Urban District Council
was adapted in 1974 for the Alton Town Council. The Badge comprises
an enamel shield divided into four quarters containing the red rose
of Hampshire, a stock of wheat and two oast houses signifying Alton’s
close agricultural associations, and a crossed sword and battle
axe recalling a part of Alton’s history in the clash of arms
in the neighbourhood of the Parish Church in 1643 at the time of
the Civil War. The chain has past Town Mayors’ names engraved
on each link.
The Town Hall
The Town Council has its offices and Council Chamber in the Town
Hall in the Market Square.
The Town Hall was erected in 1813 and extended in 1840. Further
improvements were carried out in 1893. The use of the building has
varied considerably since it was originally built. As well as being
used for meetings of the Local Board and later the Urban District
Council, it has been a corn exchange, fire station, county court,
cinema, school room, social functions hall, dance hall, library
and an engineer and surveyor’s office.
The building was extensively restored in 1987 for which the Town
Council was proud to receive the John Ambrose Award. The restoration
of the building set a standard for the area and was soon followed
by the enhancement of the Market Square and the redevelopment of
the old cattle market - now known as Westbrook Walk.
It is a Grade II Listed Building and care was taken to ensure that
as many of the original features as possible were preserved.
The first floor comprises three offices and Council Chamber and
the ground floor has been divided into three shop units.
As part of the restoration a cupula, clock and weather vane were
provided on the roof in memory of a former Town Clerk -Ewart N.
Ings.
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