Council strategy and policies

Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council’s vision is to develop an inclusive community so that Abingdon is a place where everyone wants to live and where the wellbeing of residents is prioritised.  In developing our community, the town will be one which is environmentally sustainable, vibrant, resilient and safe.

The town council’s Strategy Document sets out the key strategic objectives for the period to 2024.

Councillors

The town council consists of 19 Councillors elected for a four year term.  The current council was elected in May 2023.  Abingdon is divided in to a number of wards each represented by one or more councillors, depending on the size of the ward. 

In May each year the town council holds its Annual Meeting and Mayor-Making ceremony at which one of the councillors is elected to the position of Mayor and another to the position of Deputy Mayor.

Committees

The town council usually meets regularly through the year and much of its work is delegated to standing committees to undertake.  The Council has appointed the following standing committees:

• Community
• Environment and Amenities
• Finance, Governance and Asset Management
• Town Infrastructure
• Planning

There are a number of sub-committees and working parties of the main standing committees which deal with specific issues.

The council appoints nominees and representatives to a number of local organisations as part of its commitment to supporting local voluntary efforts in the community.

All meetings of the town council and its committees are open to the public but the public will occasionally be excluded when confidential matters have to be discussed.  Provision is made for the public to address and ask questions of the council.

Your town council

Whilst elected members determine the strategies and policies of the council, day to day operation is undertaken by a team of paid professional officers.  The Town Clerk is the council’s chief executive, head of the paid service and and the “Proper Officer” for various other legislative obligations.  The Town Clerk also acts as the council’s Responsible Financial Officer under s.151 of the Local Government Act 1972.

GDPR

From 25 May 2018 the town council has been subject to the General Data Protection Regulations 2018.  In accordance with the regulations it has adopted the following documents and policies:

• Privacy policy;
• General privacy notice for residents and members of the public;
• General privacy notice for staff, councillors and role holders;
• Subject access requests policy.

These can all be found below.

You can also find the Council’s publication scheme below.