Twelve members represented Rushden on the district council
and from 1974 until 2000, the twelve formed various sub-committees
or working parties of the East Northamptonshire  District
Council. In 1996 the law was altered, which allowed Rushden and
various other towns throughout the country to establish a Parish
Council if the electorate desired, the route being via a petition
or referendum. The District Council decided in 1999 to hold a referendum,
signatures were also being collected for a petition. A 10% response
was required to present the document to Parliament. The referendum
was held in November 1999 and the local electorate responded with
a 48% turnout (far higher than normal for a local election). The
result was 60% in favour of a Parish Council. It should be explained
that the administration elected was, in effect, a parish council
but if appropriate the elected members may at their first meeting
elect to change their title to Town Council and the chairman to
Town Mayor. Rushden opted for this decision on May 16 2000 when
the twenty members of the council elected the first Town Mayor of
Rushden.
Rushden Town Council now has twenty one members, representing five
wards and operates using a committee system. The committees include
Policy and Resources, Planning Consultation and Personnel. There
are also various working parties. The meetings of the council and
its committees take place on a Tuesday evening at the offices of
the Council at Rushden Hall in Hall Park. Rushden Town Council is
responsible for all parks and a majority of open spaces in the town
as well as the hiring of Rushden Hall for functions (including wedding
ceremonies). Rushden Town Council is also responsible for the Cemetery.
Other areas in Rushden are the liability of either East Northamptonshire
District Council, Spire Homes or Northamptonshire County Council.
The contact numbers for these organisations are listed below:
Rushden Town Council
 Rushden
Hall, Hall Park, Rushden,
Northamptonshire, NN10 9NG
Telephone: 01933 316216 Fax: 01933 315869
Email: clerk@rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk
mayor@rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk
info@rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk
Website: www.rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk
(Enquiries including Rushden Parks, the hiring of Rushden Hall for
functions and Newton Road Cemetery)
East Northamptonshire Council
East Northamptonshire House, Cedar Drive, Thrapston,
Northamptonshire, NN14 4LZ
Telephone: 01832 742000 (main number)
Email: info@east-northamptonshire.gov.uk
Web: www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk
(Enquiries including planning, grants, tree preservation orders,
waste management, re-cycling and street cleaning, refuse collection,
pest control, dog warden, council tax enquiries, electoral register)
Spire Homes
1 Crown Court, Crown Park, Rushden,
Northamptonshire, NN10 6BS
Telephone: 0845 603 5399
Northamptonshire County Council
County Hall, John Dryden House, Northampton NN1 1AN
Telephone: 01604 236236 (main number)
(Enquiries including education, social services, highways, libraries,
trading standards and street lighting)
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