The Council
The Town Council serves the Bedale community as the first tier of local government, supplementing local government services provided by North Yorkshire Council, and also promoting and representing the town with these and other statutory bodies. The Town Council has statutory and discretionary powers and rights to represent and provide service to the community and provide services.
There are ten seats on the Council, and elections are held every four years, with the current term of office running to May 2023. An annual meeting is held every May at which the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected by the Council members.
The Council has five part-time employees:
- Town Clerk, Assistant to the Clerk
- Market Superintendent
- Caretaker
- Litter Picker
Powers and Provisions
The Council acts as a sounding board for local opinion and has important rights of consultation. Principal (county and district) councils are obliged by law to consult the Town Council on matters affecting its area, particularly planning applications and priorities for local investment. Bedale Town Council’s powers and duties cover many things that can be taken for granted in making for comfort and well-being in Bedale. These include the provision and maintenance of the burial ground and public monuments, the clock at St Gregory's Church, litter bins, public toilets, footpaths, roadside verges, playparks and public open spaces including Bedale Park.
These services are funded by earned income (e.g. from car boot sales) and the "precept" - a council-specific tax to improve facilities and services for local people, which is collected along with council tax by Hambleton District Council.
Meetings
The Town Council meets monthly. Meetings are usually held at 7.00pm on the second Monday of the month, in the Drawing Room at Bedale Hall. All meetings are open to the press and public, except for a very few reserved matters.
