New power for Town Council
Waltham Abbey Town Council is proud to announce that it has met all the eligibility criteria and resolved to use the new “power of well-being”. The Town Council made this resolution at the full council meeting held on 28th October, and becomes the first town council in Essex to do so, and one of the first in the country.
The new “power of well-being” was granted to eligible town and parish councils under the Parish Councils (Power to Promote Well-being) (Prescribed Conditions) Order 2008 S.I. 3095. The eligibility criteria includes an electoral mandate, publication of a community engagement strategy, 80% or more of the councillors trained in the use of the power, and a suitably qualified clerk. The new power enables councils to spend money on anything that will enhance the economic, social or environmental aspects of their community.
The Leader of the Council, Cllr Stuart Pryde, was delighted to propose the resolution at the Council meeting and said that “it shows that the Town Council is working hard not only to improve the quality of life for our residents but also to raise standards. We will be looking at ways we can enhance our town, to make it a great place to live, work and play”.