The Town Council is the smallest and most local
level of Government. With a population of 20,986 (2001
census) in Swanley, Hextable and Swanley Village the
Council is one of the largest Town Councils in the country.
Swanley Town Council lies at the northernmost point
of the area of Sevenoaks District Council and also within
the administrative area of Kent County Council
Swanley Town Council came into existence in 1974.
It is essentially a Parish Council but has adopted Town
Status which means the Chairman of the Town Council
is designated Mayor. The Town Council, unlike the County
and District Councils, has few duties (things that have
to be done) but many powers (things that can be done).
Swanley Town Council seeks to exercise its powers for
the benefit of the community of Swanley, Hextable and
Swanley Village.
The Council provides a variety of recreation, social
and other facilities for the benefit of residents and
people who work in and visit the Parish area, working
in partnership with other Councils and agencies to promote
and deliver local services.
The Council has 16 Councillors elected by the residents
every four years. Full Council meets ten times each
year to consider issues affecting the Town and services
provided. There are also Committees – Development
Control (planning), Performance Review (Best Value and
the award of grants to local groups and organisations),
Local Environment and Amenities and Audit and Scrutiny.
The Swanley Banqueting Board considers matters relating
to the Council’s catering organisation Swanley
Banqueting.
All meetings are open to the public and have a public
question time. More information about the Council meetings
can be found on notice boards throughout the Parish
and at the Civic Offices.
Each year the Council hosts an Annual Town Meeting
(usually in March or April). This meeting is chaired
by the Mayor who reports briefly on the work of the
Council in the previous year and any resident of the
Parish may attend and ask any question relating to the
work of Swanley Town Council.
Swanley Town Council is the part of Government closest
to residents. The Town consists of Christchurch, St
Marys and Whiteoak wards in Swanley as well as Hextable
and Swanley Village. The Town Councillors do not receive
any payment or expenses for the work that they do at
the Council or in the community. They recognise that
at times there may be confusion as to who does what
in the Parish, and endeavour to ensure that by continuing
to work closely with other agencies duplication of services
can be avoided.
Local organisations and groups working for the benefit
of the community and Parish of Swanley may apply for
a grant from Swanley Town Council to assist in their
work. Application forms may be obtained from the Civic
Centre and grants are awarded in July and March each
year.
The Town Council is also consulted in the planning
process. Any application for planning permission within
Swanley, Hextable or Swanley Village submitted to the
Local Planning Authority (Sevenoaks District Council)
is referred to Swanley Town Council for consideration.
Members of the public are welcomed at meetings of the
Development Control Committee to express their views
on any application on the Agenda. Details on how to
do this are available from the Civic Offices.
Details of other services and initiatives provided
by Swanley Town Council will be found within this publication
– information about the Parks and Open Spaces
of the Parish, the In Bloom Initiative, Sports Facilities
and the excellent Banqueting / Restaurant / Bar / Conference
facilities provided by Swanley Banqueting.
Swanley Town Council’s vision for the parish
of Swanley is
“Working together to create a better community”
Working together with the people of Swanley, Swanley
Village and Hextable and other local providers to develop
caring, quality services for the changing needs of the
community at an affordable cost, Swanley Town Council
is committed to ensuring that Swanley Parish remains
a vibrant and attractive place in which to live and
work.
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