Garstang Town Council meets on the third Monday of each month and is open to all residents of Garstang. Meetings are usually held in the library, on Windsor Road but are currently held online.

The Town Council also has 3 committees which carry out council business, the responsibilities of these committees are agreed by the Town Council:

• Finance Committee
• Personnel Committee
• Planning Committee

A council cannot be effective in serving its local community unless the community has 100% confidence in the integrity of councillors and believes that all council decisions are taken solely for the benefit of the community. For this reason, all councillors are required by law to abide by the council’s Code of Conduct and are required to sign a Declaration to that effect when they take up office. In addition, all councillors are required to enter their financial and other interests in a Register kept for this purpose and which is open to inspection by the general public.

Town and Parish Councils are an essential part of the structure of local democracy and have a vital role in acting on behalf of the communities they represent. They:

• give views, on behalf of the community, on planning applications and other proposals that affect the parish
• undertake projects and schemes that benefit local residents
• work in partnership with other bodies to achieve benefits for the parish
• alert relevant authorities to problems that arise or work that needs to be undertaken
• help the other tiers of local government keep in touch with their local communities
• Local Councils have a wide range of powers and duties.

Garstang Town Council also qualifies to use the General Power of Competency, the general power of competence (GPC) is a power given to local councils under the Localism Act 2011 s1-8. The power is essentially a power of ‘first resort’, giving councils more freedom to act anywhere (not just within parish boundary) and for anyone (including individuals). Councils must act reasonably when using the power and not act recklessly; the council Cannot use the GPC to circumvent any other restrictions and should take the qualified clerk’s advice.

Garstang Town Council also the power to raise money through the local council tax, each year the Council approves a budget for the forthcoming year which forms the basis for the precept. You can view the most recent visit on the Reports and Notices Page.

The Town Council also runs a Youth Council which allows the Council to gain the views of young people and ensure they feel included in decision making.

If you wish to get involved in the work of the Town Council then do not hesitate in contacting us.