How the Town Council Works

The Town Council has 15 Town Councillors elected for a term of four years. The last full Town Council elections were held in May 2023. The Town Councillors are split into five wards: Primrose Bridge (three Councillors), Stoke Brook (two Councillors), Webbs Wood (three Councillors), Willowbrook (three Councillors) and Woodlands (four Councillors).

There are also elected Councillors to South Gloucestershire Council who represent Bradley Stoke's interests at this level. The South Gloucestershire Councillors are split into three wards: Bradley Stoke, North (two Councillors), Bradley Stoke, South (two Councillors) and Stoke Gifford (three Councillors).

The Civic Year runs from May to April with the election of the Chair/Mayor and the Deputy taking place at the Annual Statutory Meeting in May. These roles are filled by councillors who have been nominated and voted for by their councillor colleagues. The Town Councillors are unpaid, and do not receive any attendance allowance or payments for their duties, which they undertake on a purely voluntary basis. The Mayor has available a small pool of money which can be used for Civic purposes.

What is a Parish or Town Council?

A full explanation of what a Parish or Town Council actually is, can be found in the following document: Guide To Parish & Town Councils (PDF)

Bradley Stoke Town Council Structure

Full Council

The Town Council meets once a month (apart from August and December) and has three main committees and ad hoc sub committees that meet as required (eg Health & Safety). These committees make decisions under their remitted powers or make recommendations for ratification by full Council.

• Finance Committee
  The Finance Committee meets once a month (apart from August) and makes decisions and recommendations to Council on all financial and policy matters under the discretion of the Town Council. This committee also is responsible for Personnel matters and will be responsible for Best Value.
• Planning & Environment Committee
  The Planning and Environment Committee meets once a month and makes recommendations on all planning applications within Bradley Stoke to the Planning Authority (South Gloucestershire Council) and considers all associated planning, footpath and licensing issues. This committee also considers matters relating to the local environment in general, including litter, grass verges, pavements, roads and other similar matters. The committee acts as a vehicle to consider, discuss and recommend solutions to Health & Safety issues affecting Bradley Stoke Town Council.
• Leisure, Youth & Amenities Committee
  The Leisure, Youth & Amenities Committee meets approx. 6 times a year and is responsible for, and promotes the Town Council policy on sports, leisure and recreational activities within or affecting the Town. The committee is also responsible for administration of the Town Council’s Grants Budget. The committee is responsible for the development of the Town Council’s policy towards youth and the promotion of facilities for young people in the Town, together with administration of the Youth budget.
• Staffing Committee
  The Staffing Committee meets a minimum of twice a year, with additional meetings scheduled as and when necessary. Confidential matters will be discussed in private (closed session) rather than in public due to the confidential nature of business. The committee’s primary purpose (in conjunction with external HR advisors) is to ensure the council complies with the requirements of employment laws and follows best practice in providing good working conditions for staff.
• Health & Safety
• Ad Hoc Working Groups

Agendas

Subject matters are brought before Council by means of the Agenda, which is issued a minimum of three clear days before a meeting of the council (excluding the days of issue and meeting, Sundays, the days of Christmas, Easter and Bank Holiday breaks and days appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning) and is posted on this website and available for collection from the Town Council office. All meeting dates and times are also publicised on the BSTC public noticeboards throughout the town.