About Us...

How does the Council work ?

–       Downham Market has 4 wards;

–       Old Town

–       East

–       North

–       South

 

–       Each ward has 5 Councillors in it.

 

–       Councillors can only stand for Town Council if they live within 3 miles of any ward, or if they are working in Downham Market.  He or she  must be over 21 years of age and qualified as an elector. This is only general guidance and  the full regulations are available to view at the Town Council offices

 

–       Each Councillor has to serve on 2 Standing Committees.

 

–       If a ward does not have enough Councillors standing for election, it means the ward is ‘uncontested’ & the Standing Councillors are automatically placed in that ward, & an election for that ward will not be held.

 

–       If a poll is claimed by ten electors a bye-election of the usual kind by nomination and poll takes place within 60 days of the notice of vacancy. If no poll is claimed within 14 days of the notice of a vacancy, the Town Council may co-opt a new Councillor.  Further regulations apply which can be viewed at the Town Council offices.

 

–       People who are interested in becoming a Councillor for an uncontested ward can only become a Councillor in that ward if the Full Town Council vote them in.  This is called co-opting.

 

 

The Town Council comprises 20 members, elected every 4 years. The Mayor is elected each year in May. 

 

The Council has four Standing Committees; 

• Car Parks and Highways

• Development

•  Finance and General Purposes

• Planning and Environment.

What does the Town Council Own ?

The Market

 

Howdale Community Centre

 

Town Hall car park

 

Town Square

 

Hollies No. 1 & 2 Car Parks (Somerfield) - they pay for their own resurfacing

 

Paradise Road Complete site including : -

• Town Council Offices

• Paradise Road Car Park

• Mind building

• Paradise Garage building

Future Goals

The transfer of Downham Market Town Hall from the BCKLWN

The purchase of the old Fire Station site for car parking

Provision of CCTV coverage in the Town

Town Charter

Meetings

Meetings of the Full Town Council are held at 7.30pm in the Town Council Offices on the 2^nd Tuesday in the months of January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November, and on the 3^rd Tuesday in May.

 

All members of the public are very welcome to come along to these meetings and listen to Councillors’ comments and views on the various topics that concern Downham Market and there is always a public participation opportunity to ask questions and put your point of view.

 

Forthcoming meeting dates can be found by clicking here

Town Councillors' surgeries

Photo courtesy of LEWKS   Click image to enlarge 

Councillors' surgeries are held on the Town Hall car park on market days from 10.00am to 12 noon. The 2008 dates will be published shortly.