The Town Council undertakes a number of projects , activities and services on behalf of the residents including :

The Town Council manages its business at Full Town Council meetings & Committee meetings .

There are currently 3 Committees being ,

Saffron Walden Town Council ( SWTC ) covers the town of Saffron Walden plus the village of Little Walden . The Town Council consists of 16 Councillors all of whom were elected in May 2015 for a 4-year term with the next Town Council elections being held in May 2019 .

Councillors are elected by residents to represent them in specific geographical areas of the Town Council area as follows :

Cllr Paul Gadd , Cllr Mike Hibbs , Cllr Sharon Morris , Cllr Doug Perry

( 1 Councillor )

Cllr Sam Goddard

Cllr Heather Asker , Cllr Arthur Coote , Cllr Richard Freeman ( Deputy Mayor ), Cllr David Sadler

Cllr Aisha Anjum , Cllr Sarfraz Anjum ( Mayor ), Cllr Keith Eden , Cllr Sandra Eden , Cllr Paul Fairhurst , Cllr Sara Grimshaw , Cllr Dilip Shah

• Management and maintenance of facilities and community buildings including the Town Hall , Golden Acre Community Centre , Hill Street toilets and the cemetery in Radwinter Road . The Town Hall has recently undergone a significant repair and refurbishment programme enhancing the use and scope of this attractive building . SWTC also manages the very successful Tourist Information Centre ( TIC ) which is used not only as a primary source of information for visitors but is also a great source of information and advice for local residents .

• Management and maintenance , of public open spaces including The Common , Anglo-American Playing Fields , allotments , some grass verges and play areas and Bridge End Gardens

• Services & community activities : management of Saffron Walden ’ s successful twice weekly market , provision of specialist markets and events . We also help and support a number of local groups and organisations in their own plans and preparations for events including working in conjunction with the Town Team , Carver Barracks and Saffron Walden Round Table . SWTC provides grant funding to local groups enabling them to deliver community services and activities . Grants awarded in 2016 / 17 to local organisations include Uttlesford Citizens ’ Advice Bureau , Saffron Walden Initiative , Round Table , Saffron Walden Musical Theatre Company and SW Football Club . The Town Council also works closely with Uttlesford District Council and the Youth Outreach Project at Fairycroft to deliver youth sessions and activities for the young people of Saffron Walden . The Town Council is also responsible for the Christmas lights display and the switching on event .

• Representation on local issues such as commenting on all proposed planning applications received from Uttlesford District Council relating to land and / or buildings within the Town Council area as well as wider Essex issues and concerns . The Town Council is also the lead body on the Saffron Walden Neighbourhood Plan .

Assets & Services

( 9 members , Committee meets monthly ). This Committee has a primary responsibility for the management and maintenance of all facilities and land under the Council ’ s ownership .

Finance & Establishment

( 8 Members , Committee meets monthly ). This Committee supervises the financial planning activities of the Council as a whole , ensuring that actions taken by the Council do not contravene statute or any financial regulations . This Committee also oversees the management of staff and HR matters .

Planning & Road Traffic ( 8 Members , Committee meets fortnightly ). This Committee formulates responses on behalf of the Council on planning and road traffic matters

All Councillors also attend the Full Council meetings which are also held monthly .

Most meetings take place on a Monday in the Council Chamber , Town Hall starting at 7.30pm ( Planning Committees on a Thursday ) and full details with agendas and minutes can be found on the Town Council ’ s website www . saffronwalden . gov . uk

Committees have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Council with larger ( often more controversial ) decisions being made at Full Council meetings . Each Committee acts under delegated powers of authority and under an approved budget .

On an annual basis and at the Annual Meeting to be held on Monday 8th May 2017 at 7.30pm , a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor is elected for the forthcoming year . At this meeting the Council also reviews its Committee membership as well as a number of policies and procedures . This is good , standard practice and ensures that the Town Council continues to operate with optimum efficiency and effectiveness .

SWTC employs a total of 19 people to deliver the Town Council services under the steer and direction of the Council . The Head of Services is the Town Clerk who is supported by other Supervisors and employees including Operations Manager , Gardeners , Operations Assistants , TIC staff , Mayor ’ s Secretary and other financial and administrative support . Most members of staff work full time with the Town Council ’ s primary offices being at 11 Emson Close , Saffron Walden , CB10 1HL ,

tel : 01799 516501 . The office open hours are : 9.30am-1pm and 2pm-4.30pm Mon-Thu , 9.30am-1pm and 2pm-4pm Fri or visit our websites

www . saffronwalden . gov . uk or www . visitsaffronwalden . gov . uk