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Huntingdon the Town
Huntingdon’s history stretches far back to Palaeolithic and
Neolithic times and is probably due to its strategic position. It
stands on the Great River Ouse, once a major route inland for invaders,
and at the crossroads for access to East Anglia or the West Midlands
with a major route, known today as the A1, from London to the North.
London being just under an hour away by train, many of Huntingdon’s
residents are employed in the Capital and commute daily, enjoying
the relatively quiet market town environment for their home life
away from the contrasting pressure of City life. Huntingdon’s
proximity to Cambridge makes it an attractive settlement for those
drawn to the famous University Town with its biotechnology and other
science-related industries.
Until 1974, when Huntingdonshire was included with the county of
Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon was the county town of the historic county
of Huntingdonshire. The Town’s population has grown at a remarkable
rate in the last 50 years. Between 1951 and 1961, the population
of Huntingdon & Godmanchester increased from 7,784 to 8,821.
By 1974 this figure had increased to 17,500. Today, the population
of Huntingdon alone is 20,600 and Godmanchester, a separate Parish
since 1982, has a current population of 6,500. Most of Huntingdon’s
housing expansion has been to the North and East of the older town
of Huntingdon at Oxmoor, Sapley, Stukeley Meadows and Hinchingbrooke
with further development planned for the near future at “Northbridge”,
situated between Huntingdon and the Stukeleys.
Huntingdon celebrated the 800th Anniversary of its Chartering in
2005. In 1205, the Town was granted the first in a series of Charters
by John the King of England. Dated 7th August that year, it confirmed
Huntingdon’s rights as a borough and permitted weekly markets
to be held. The original Charter is preserved and maintained by
the Cambridgeshire County Council’s County Record Office in
Huntingdon, which practically owes its existence to the safekeeping
of the Charter since it was discovered in an old iron safe under
the office of the then Town Clerk, John Winter, in 1941.
Huntingdon Town Council represents the tier of local government
in Huntingdon that is closest to its electors. Employing just over
20 staff in total, the Town Council consists of 16 Councillors elected
for a four-year term to represent constituents in the town’s
three wards of Huntingdon North, East and West. Town Council meetings
take place every six-eight weeks and are presided over by the Mayor,
who is elected from among fellow Councillors each year at the Annual
Mayor Making ceremony. Consisting of all 16 Councillors, the Town
Council’s main committees – those of Planning, Finance
and Leisure & Community Services – also meet every six-eight
weeks to discuss and decide issues relating to the Council’s
business.
The Planning Committee’s business is to comment on every planning
application submitted to the Huntingdonshire District Council as
a statutory consultee in the planning process. Matters relating
to the Local Development Framework, Structure, Transport and Waste
& Minerals plans are also considered by the members of this
committee. The Finance Committee manages the Council’s budgeting
process, ensures that the Council’s assets are protected and
controls expenditure and income, the latter being applied for as
“precept” from the District Council as a portion of
council tax revenues. Twinning matters are also dealt with by Finance
Committee members. The Leisure & Community Services Committee
governs matters concerning parks, gardens and play areas; community
events; allotments; cemeteries; arts and tourism; sports facilities;
the community newsletter “About Town” and Huntingdon’s
environment. The Council’s decisions are carried out by the
Town Clerk, who is assisted by a Deputy and three other administrative
staff at the Council’s Offices at 1 Trinity Place, together
with a team of six groundstaff and staff at the Commemoration Hall
and Medway Centre.
Huntingdon Town Council is classed as a “Best Value”
Council having an annual income in excess of £500,000. As
such it is obliged to produce an annual Performance Plan which sets
out its aims for the year. In addition, services provided by the
Council are regularly reviewed to ensure that their delivery is
being achieved using public monies in the most efficient way possible.
Huntingdon Town Council was also the first Council in Cambridgeshire
to be granted Quality Council Status in 2003.
Huntingdon Town Council maintains a traditional approach to local
government. Town Council meetings and important Civic Events see
Mayor and Councillors fully robed, the Mayor attended by his or
her Macebearer, who carries the Mace when the Mayor enters and leaves
the Council Chambers and ensures that it is placed correctly in
repose whilst meetings are in progress. The Macebearer wears a formal
top hat and gold band together with a plain black gown and the Clerk
wears a gown and wig.
Huntingdon is twinned with three European towns in France, Germany
& Hungary. These are Salon de Provence, Wertheim am Main &
Szentendre respectively. The Huntingdon & Godmanchester Twinning
Association and Huntingdon Town Council play an active part in encouraging
links between the four towns. Various festivals are organised enabling
both young and older people from each twinned town to meet and work
together over a week of varied events and culminating in a joint
performance involving all the participants. More about the twinned
towns can be read later in this guide. In 2003, a delegation from
the Town of Huntington in the State of New York, US, visited Huntingdon
with a proclamation of sisterhood between the two towns. This visit
marked the 350th Anniversary of Huntington’s existence and
a wish to share the benefits of continuing goodwill and friendship
between the communities of Huntingdon & Huntington.
Huntingdon Town Council places community development high on its
list of objectives and in particular aims to ensure a varied programme
of entertainment, social and cultural activities is available to
all sections of the community. To this end the Council makes available
the Commemoration Hall, Town Hall Assembly Room and the Medway Centre
for community use. An annual Party for Pensioners; High Street Races
on Pancake Day and Summer Outdoor Music Performances are organised
by the Council as are other special events. Representatives from
a wide range of community groups and organisations are invited to
the annual civic events such as the Christmas Service, the Annual
Civic Service, Mayor Making and Remembrance Day.
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Mayor's Message
Cambridgeshire and
