Thornbury Town Council

How to contact Thornbury Town Council

Address: The Town Hall, 35 High Street, Thornbury BS35 2AR

Tel: 01454 412103 (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4.30pm)

Email:
Website: www.thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk

Photographs on this page are kindly supplied by RichMcD Photography.

ALMSHOUSE FLAT AVAILABLE IN THORNBURY

The Thornbury Town Trust has a ground floor one bedroom flat with lounge, kitchen and shower room, available in Thornbury.

Applicants are required to be over 60, single or widowed, and of good character. Applicants should be resident in Thornbury and able to live independently.

There are four flats in the block and residents pay a monthly maintenance fee to help with running costs.

The Trustees will take into account the applicant’s financial circumstances and their housing and social needs.

If you are interested please contact: Sally Bertram, Clerk to the Trustees, to establish eligibility.

You can email or write to: Thornbury Town Trust, C/o Thornbury Town Hall, High Street, Thornbury, BS35 2AR.

MEMORIAL TESTING TO CONTINUE AT THORNBURY CEMETERY DURING SUMMER AND AUTUMN 2024

Thornbury Town Council will be carrying out further statutory testing of memorial stones at Thornbury Cemetery during the Summer and Autumn.

A spokesperson from the Town Council said “This testing involves a very specific amount of force being applied onto memorial stones and if any movement is detected, the plot owner is contacted to let them know what they need to do next. In some instances, the staff must carefully lay down the stone to prevent a potential hazard to users of the cemetery. Our staff at the Cemetery are fully trained in the appropriate process by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management.”

They added “As a burial authority, Thornbury Town Council is legally obliged to carry out this testing. There have been instances at other cemeteries of injury and even death as a result of loose memorial stones falling over onto Cemetery visitors. We understand completely that families may be very upset if a memorial stone needs to be laid down, but we would like to reassure people that this is done very carefully. We will write to any plot owners whose memorial stones fail the testing and are very happy to talk to them about the process and help to guide them through what they need to do next. Unfortunately, many plot owners are not aware that once a memorial stone is put in place, both they, and the Town Council, continue to have legal responsibilities for it.”

Click here for lots more information on the legal requirements relating to this process, including Frequently Asked Questions.

Thornbury Town Council kindly requests that any concerned plot owners contact the office in the Town Hall rather than talking directly to Cemetery staff, who have unfortunately encountered instances of abusive behaviour when carrying out testing previously. Staff in the office can assist with all queries related to testing and can be contacted by calling 01454 412103 or by email at .

About Thornbury Town Council

The Town Council is responsible for running Thornbury, and it's your first point of call if you want to find out more about where you live or how the town operates.

The Town Hall is easy to find, right on the High Street in a Grade 2 listed former police station. Although you're normally welcome to drop in any time, while COVID-19 restrictions are in place you must make an appointment in advance.

It houses the Council chamber, offices and community facilities.

The building is also home to the Town Council's Tourist Information Centre, South Gloucestershire Citizen's Advice Bureau, Thornbury and District Volunteer Link, and Thornbury Pensioners' Drop in Centre.

How It Works

A Full Council meeting takes place every few weeks. Under normal circumstances meetings are held at 7.30pm at the Town Hall and Councillors must attend if they're able. Currently meetings are being held via Zoom.

Members of the public can attend any of the Council and Committee meetings. (The committee meetings vary in start times). There's an opportunity at each meeting for any of us to speak or ask questions on any relevant topic.

The Council has 16 members, each elected for four years. The town is divided into five wards: one of which has four councillors and the others 3. The Chairman of the Council, who is also Town Mayor, is elected by members each May.

Councillors serve on six committees: Outdoor Spaces, Planning and Town Development, Finance & Policy, Staffing, Buildings sub committee and Youth sub committee. Each of these submits reports and recommendations to full Council.

Some councillors are also representatives on outside bodies and attend their meetings too.

Click here to view the meeting schedule.

Thornbury Consolidated Charities

Known locally as the Thornbury Town Trust, this is a Registered Charity with seven trustees, three nominated by the Council. It helps organisations, groups and individuals in Thornbury.

The Trust owns property and land around Thornbury. It runs four almshouses and over 80 allotments on Daggs Field. If you would like to know more about the allotments, click here.

To contact the Trust, visit www.thornburytowntrust.uk.

Hire the Hall

You can hire the Council Chamber and its kitchenette for meetings or conferences. There is also an excellent exhibition/meeting room.

The Town Hall is fully accessible with a ramp on Silver Street and a lift to the first floor. Please contact the office staff for more details.

Civic Regalia

Thornbury has its own civic regalia, worn on appropriate occasions. The silver gilt Town Mace is carried by the longest-serving Councillor and is a replica of the solid silver original, which is in the Bristol Museum.

The Mayoral chain was created in silver by local craftsman John Pinch in 1974. The Mayor's escort and the Deputy Mayor also wear chains, and the Mayor and Lady Mayor wear robes and corned hats.

Forthcoming events