Q. Who decides how the meetings of the Town Council are run
- for example, who is allowed to speak at any particular time?
A. The council has a set of standing orders which govern the conduct of
meetings. These have been drawn up and agreed by the council. They are
available at the town council offices for inspection.
Q. Who can be Mayor?
A. Any Town Councillor can be nominated by his or her colleagues to
serve as Mayor of Downham Market
Q. Who elects the Mayor?
A. Downham Market Town Councillors elect the Mayor at the annual
meeting of the Town Council, normally held during May. Each Mayor normally
serves for a period of one year.
Q. What does the Mayor do?
A. In addition to his or her normal duties as a town councillor, the
Mayor acts as the chair of meetings of Downham Market Town Council. The Mayor
will also attend many community meetings and events as the representative of
the Town Council. The appointment is an apolitical one. More than anyone else,
the Mayor embodies the town of Downham Market.
Q. How many town councillors are there?
A. There are 20 town councillors, representing 4 wards of the town –
North, South, East and Old Town.
Q. Do the Town Councillors come from Downham Market?
A. Every town councillor either resides in Downham Market town or has a
business located in Downham Market
Q. What does a Town Councillor do?
A. Each town councillor is obliged to attend meetings of the full
council and committee meetings on which he or she serves. In addition, each
town councillor may act as a substitute on other committees, serve on standing
committees and sit on outside bodies. He or she must do a number of
Surgeries on the Town Hall car park each year and attend various civic
occasions.
Aside from those duties, town councillors take a deep interest in the affairs
of Downham Market town. They follow developments closely. They 'keep an ear to
the ground' by listening to the opinions of residents, business-people and
other people concerned with the future of Downham Market town. More often than
not, the town councillors hear those opinions in the normal course of their
work and family life in the town.
Q. Who elects Downham Market Town Councillors?
A. Residents of Downham Market town who are eligible to vote.
Q. How much do Town Councillors get paid?
A. Nothing.
Q. Are Town Councillors allowed to take part in debates if there are any
topics in which they have an interest, in meetings which they attend?
A. No. Downham Market Town Councillors are bound by a Code of Conduct.
This means that councillors must withdraw from / are not permitted to speak at
meetings when matters in which they have a 'prejudicial' interest are
discussed. Their withdrawal/ interest is recorded in the minutes of that
meeting.
Q. Where can I read more about Town Council regulations?
A. Visit The
Standards Board for England website
