Creating a thriving, sustainable town and flourishing community
About Bradford on Avon Town Council
Bradford on Avon Town Council is located in the Avon valley in north-west Wiltshire. It is a lower-tier authority, sitting below Wiltshire Council, a unitary authority. The Council has 12 councillors and 27 employees. The historic town has a population of just over 10,000 people. The Town Council’s aim is to ‘support and nurture the town, valuing community and leading by example’.
How does Bradford on Avon Town Council make a difference?
Bradford on Avon Town Council does a plethora of activities to help make a difference in the town. Following the declaration of a climate and ecological emergency, a range of activities have been undertaken, including organising an ecological review of land within the estate, stopping the use of pesticides, becoming peat-free, and helping the community with the creation of a green wall at Bridge Yard in the town centre. Additionally, using funding from the Forestry Commission, the Town Council planted 3,500 trees to help aid biodiversity and increase the absorption of carbon dioxide.
Following the declaration of a climate and ecological emergency, a range of activities have been undertaken.
The Town Council is currently undertaking a fresh carbon audit of its operations. This follows the installation of solar panels on St Margaret’s Hall, the Council’s biggest building, the installation of EV chargers at the Youth and Community Centre, and the acquisition of electric vehicles used by grounds staff.
People are at the core of the Council’s work, and it is lucky to have a very engaged local community. The local community are consulted on issues affecting them, such as improvements to Poulton Park and the replacement of play area equipment. There are also a range of community groups that the Council works with and facilitates. Volunteers are a key part of the council’s work, with their activities ranging from tree planting to involvement in the local community centre. They are also essential in emergencies, including helping to warn fellow residents about flooding in October 2024.
Volunteers are a key part of the council’s work, with their activities ranging from tree planting to involvement in the local community centre.
How do they do it?
Bradford on Avon Town Council’s core funding is raised through a precept of the council tax, which Wiltshire Council collects on its behalf.
While the Town Council’s statutory responsibilities are limited, the local councillors play a significant role in determining the town’s priorities. In 2022, Bradford on Avon Town Council took on several assets and services from Wiltshire Council in an asset transfer. This includes, but is not limited to, the responsibility for grounds maintenance, public toilets, allotments, play areas, cemeteries, and burials. This asset transfer has given the town more say over how their services are run by setting standards and employing local people to deliver services. The Council showcased its ecological approach in the South West in Bloom competition, achieving a gold award.
An asset transfer from Wiltshire Council has given the town more say over how their services are run by setting standards and employing local people to deliver services.
Additionally, Bradford on Avon Town Council has a neighbourhood plan, adopted in 2013, which outlines how development in the town should be brought forward. They are currently reviewing and updating their neighbourhood plan with funding from Locality. While the town is constrained by Greenbelt, they would like to ensure development happens in a sensitive manner and benefits residents, especially with regard to the provision of affordable housing.
What would help unlock Bradford on Avon’s potential?
- Easier and more affordable access to consultants, specialists, and professional support. Often, the rates for consultants are based on massive contracts, which aren’t suitable for the Town Council when it needs support with small but specialised problems. Having access to Wiltshire Council’s expertise for this would help – there is precedent in free pre-application advice on planning for parishes.
- Reduced reliance on grant funding to carry out projects, as this reliance reduces the Council’s autonomy and carries the risk of investing lots of time writing funding applications.
- Volunteers are essential and valued contributors to the Town Council’s work. However, relying on volunteers requires the Town Council to have adequate capacity to supervise them. It also means that some work is reliant on the continued motivation of volunteers.
Advice for other town and parish councils
- Know what you are and be realistic about what you can and cannot do.
- Prioritise what you want to do and identify the groups you need to work with to be successful.
- Think about the pace at which you do things; you need to manage timing.
- Ensure you bring people on the journey with you, working step-by-step towards bigger goals.
Relevant Links
Header image: courtesy of Viritopia
