Upton Town Council

Upton upon Severn Town Council consists of fifteen councillors representing the three Wards, namely those of the Town, the Hook and Longdon Heath. Councillors are elected every four years* and the Council is non-political.

The Council is led by the Mayor, elected by Councillors, and holds the position for two years. A Deputy Mayor is also elected.

The town has two representatives on the Malvern Hills District Council and one representative on Worcester County Council.

The Town Council meets every month, with the annual meeting in May. Within the council are three main committees which meet regularly to carry out the work of the council with the Clerk and Deputy Clerk. All meetings are open to the public.

The Council owns and administers two allotment sites (the Graftons and the Cemetery, for which there are waiting lists. To join the list, contact the Council); the children's playgrounds at Tunnel Hill and on the Sports Field; the Sports Field, and the Cemetery. There are also three riverside sites which are owned and maintained by the council for the benefit of visitors; picnic tables are provided. Moorings are also supplied for waterborne visitors. The council has representatives on the local charities, the School Board of Governors and other organisations.

The town is administered from its office in the Memorial Hall in Old Street.

The Council employs the Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk, Admin Assistant, Caretaker; and two part time staff, a Cleaner and a Gardener.

Parish councils are statutory bodies. Members are elected for a term of four years and councils are funded principally by an annual precept. Income and expenditure for the next financial year are calculated in the form of estimates. The net amount (the precept) is added to council tax, collected by the county, borough or district council (principal authorities) and paid to parishes in two six-monthly instalments. Parish and town councils can apply for other funding such as grant and funding awards, but they do not receive funds direct from central government, as principal authorities do.

Parish Meetings must assemble annually on some day between 1 March and 1 June and on one other occasion during the year. Their meetings are open to the public but only the registered electors for the Parish are permitted to speak and vote on any proposal.

* From the Electoral Commission Supplementary guidance for candidates.
Parish, community and town council elections in England and Wales, 1 May 2008:

Uncontested elections

2.46 If, after the close of nominations and the time allowed for withdrawals, the total number of validly nominated candidates in a Parish, community or town council area or ward is less than or equal to the number of seats to be filled at the election, those candidates are declared to be elected. As soon as possible after the latest time for delivery of withdrawals of nominations (12 noon on Wednesday 9 April 2008) the Returning Officer must declare to be elected those candidates who remain validly nominated, and give notice of their names to the proper officer of the parish or community council for which the election is held and to the proper officer of the principal area council within which the parish or community is situated. The Returning Officer must also give public notice of the names of those declared as elected.

2.47 It is important to note that if declared to be elected in an uncontested election, candidates must still make a declaration and return as to election expenses, even if none have been incurred.

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