New town clerk has high ambitions for Aycliffe
BY MARTIN WALKER
Newton Aycliffe ’ s new town clerk says he ’ s honoured and privileged to have been given the job .
After 14 years as finance manager at Great Aycliffe Town Council , Dan Austin has succeeded Andrew Bailey as the town clerk .
The lifelong Newtonian says he wants to improve the local authority ’ s engagement with the community and enhance events in the town .
“ It is a real honour and privilege to have been appointed town clerk and I am extremely grateful for the faith the town council has placed in me ,” said Dan , who went to Vane Road and Woodham schools in the town .
“ As a local lad , I am very proud and excited to have been given this opportunity to serve my hometown and help lead the town council over the coming years .
“ In terms of aspirations for the role and for the town , these will be heavily influenced by the priorities of the incoming council and new councillors . As town clerk , my main role is implementing the decisions of the council and providing advice and support .
“ But I am personally passionate about the environment , nature and wildlife – so ensuring our green areas are protected and improved would be a high priority for me .
“ I would also like to see the council improve and enhance the programme of community events it provides .
“ It would also be good to help the council modernise its systems and processes , making better use of IT , and improve the way it engages with the local community and publicises its services and activity .”
After growing up in Aycliffe , Dan left Woodham Sixth Form with two A Levels and , after a brief time at Sunderland University , embarked on an opportunity to ‘ learn and earn ’ via a Modern Apprenticeship at Sedgefield Borough Council in 1996 .
He started his career in the finance department as a trainee in the internal audit section and then passed the Association of Accounting Technicians ( AAT ) qualification , which enabled him to study the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy ( CIPFA ) qualification – effectively a degree in public sector finance . He achieved that qualification in 2001 which led to a promotion and a move to another section within finance as senior accountant with the former County Durham authority .
He was again promoted to principal accountant four years later before taking up the finance manager role with GATC in 2006 .
In his role with Aycliffe , Dan has been responsible for advising the council on law , determining the council ’ s accounting systems , internal controls , financial records , accounting policies and financial procedures , reporting on financial performance , providing financial information to councillors and officers , regular reporting of budgetary control , preparing the annual revenue budget and capital programme and preparing the
medium-term financial plan . He has also been responsible for treasury management of the council ’ s cash flow , loans , and investments , payroll and personnel support , and managing the council ’ s insurance arrangements .
Dan said : “ As a local lad , who has lived in Newton Aycliffe my whole life , it is a privilege to work for the town council in my hometown and to play a small role in making our parish a better place to live and work .
“ Also , with the town council being the level of local government closest to the local community , one of the big benefits of working here is that I regularly cross paths with the many voluntary and community groups and residents who are doing so much great work in the town .
“ The job also brings a sense of pride in knowing that the town council provides a number of valued services , events and facilities that help make our town such a good place to live and bring up our families .
“ The parks , play areas , woodland , nature areas and green open space , as well as the community events organised by the council , are a particular source of pride .”
Andrew Bailey will work his last day at Great Aycliffe Town Council on Friday after 32 years with the local authority – 15 of which as town clerk .
And Dan said : “ I would like to thank Andrew for all his help , advice and support over the years and for leaving me some very strong foundations to build on .
“ I am inheriting a council that is wellgoverned by some very capable and committed councillors , and this has recently been supplemented by the new councillors elected at the recent elections whom I am sure will bring some fresh ideas and expertise .
“ I am also very lucky to have in place some outstanding managers and officers working for me in managing the various services .
“ Andrew was an outstanding town clerk who was extremely well regarded and respected not only by this council , but also by his fellow town clerks and colleagues across County Durham .
“ Hopefully , I can take the best of what I have learned from Andrew over the years and add to this some fresh thinking , new ideas , energy , and my passion for Great Aycliffe and build on his great work .”
Dan still lives in the town with his wife and two girls – aged 16 and 12 – and a one-yearold Labrador cross .
“ So much of my spare time is spent with my family enjoying days out , running dad ’ s taxi service , and walking the dog ,” said Dan , who enjoys keeping fit , spending time in the gym , running , and playing five-a-side football .
“ For my sins , I am a Newcastle United fan and try to get up to the games as much as I can ,” he added .
“ I love listening to music and going to the odd gig – indie and Britpop being my music of choice .
“ I also love craft beer and enjoy trying new brews and visiting local breweries and tap rooms when I can .”
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