Wareham Town Council

THE TOWN COUNCIL

Wareham Town Hall
...

River Frome at dawn

Mayor's Book open at the page for 1703

Wareham Town Council was formed after local government re-organisation in 1974 when Purbeck District Council took over many of the powers of the former Borough of Wareham. The Town Council has 16 Councillors who represent all parts of the town. In April 2006 there were 4685 registered electors. Elections are held every four years with the next election scheduled for May 2011. All Town Council meetings are held in the Town Hall in East Street on Tuesday evenings at 7.00 pm. The public are very welcome to attend and may speak on any topic of public interest relating to the Town at the discretion of the Mayor.

Wareham has a long tradition of Town Mayors stretching back to 1336 and every name to date is recorded on panels in the Council Chamber. The Mayor is elected annually in May by the Town Council at a special 'Mayor Making' meeting. A book is kept to record Mayors' names since 1703, witnessed by Councillors, and forms part of the Town Council's civic regalia. The proceedings in the Council Chamber feature the Sergeant at Mace bearing the splendid Town Mace given to Wareham in the reign of James 1st. Two Constables from Wareham's historic Court Leet in dark suits and bowler hats also bear their own symbols of authority, a pair of two-metre wooden staves dating from 1778.

It is thought that very few councils can trace their Mayors back as far as 1336 - although the Wareham names were almost lost for ever. Prior to 1703, a Clerk named Nathaniel Child absconded to London with most of the Town's records, including the book recording past Mayors' names. Child then attempted to blackmail the town for a large sum of money, effectively saying "pay up or the records will be destroyed". Payment was refused, the records promptly disappeared and the name boards were made up later (from local records which still existed before they were destroyed in the Great Fire of Wareham in 1762) as the only record available of those times.

Responsibilities
The activities and responsibilities of the Town Council are many and most of its work is overseen by various Committees appointed by the Council. The powers and duties of these Committees are set out below:

Standing Committees (members of the public are welcome to attend and also ask questions):

Amenities Committee
Management of the Wareham Recreation Ground in Worgret Road containing cricket/football pitches and a play area, three other play areas in North Wareham, open spaces, allotment matters, rights of way, Howard's Lane car park, land and property management, public seats, war memorial, street lighting, arts and entertainment, litter/environmental issues, shelters, signs and matters arising from Wareham Burials Joint Committee.

Planning and Transport Committee
Consideration of all planning applications within the Town area. Consideration of transport matters including liaison with Dorset County Council on highway and traffic regulation orders, parking and traffic calming, local and strategic plans, all other highway matters.

Policy, Resources and Finance Committee
Deals with matters concerning policy, resources and general financial decisions, including the annual budget setting process, borrowing and investments, financial regulations, land and property (leases, rents, disposal etc.), legal proceedings, public relations, tourism, standing orders, crime prevention, bye laws. Determines applications for donations (grants) from local groups and organisations, and generally advises the Town Council on policy matters. Considers all other matters not within the purview of another committee.

Other Committees (not open to the public):

Museum Committee
Looks after all things connected with the Town Museum: acquisitions, exhibitions, projects, policy, finance, volunteer support.

Wareham in Bloom Committee
Deals with all aspects of Wareham in Bloom including annual fundraising and sponsorship, allocation of floral display contracts, community involvement, environmental tidiness of the town, the local Wareham In Bloom competition and the annual entry for South East in Bloom.

Human Resources Panel
Responsibility for all staff matters including recruitment, training and implementation of certain internal procedures.

COUNCILLORS

CURRENT VACANCIES

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS

Town Council Initiatives
Wareham Town Council has supported a number of initiatives in the town. CCTV in the town centre has been installed and there are further plans to extend it to the Northport area and the Worgret Road roundabout. Financial grants are given to the Wareham Carnival, the Christmas Lights Committee for festive lighting in the dark days of winter and to the Father Christmas Committee to support the annual Father Christmas Parade. Other donations include a number of worthy causes and organisations in the town including Wareham Hospital and the Citizens Advice Bureau. The Council also supports the Wareham Twinning Association in its efforts to maintain links with our twin towns of Hemsbach in Germany and Conches-En-Ouches in France. In 2006, Wareham celebrates the 20th anniversary of the twinning with Hemsbach.

Links are maintained with other community organisations such as the Wareham and District Development Trust and the Wareham Town Trust. A major initiative was launched in 2006 in partnership with these two organisations and Dorset Community Action to consult local residents on what they wish to see for Council-owned open space at Hauses Field in north Wareham, which will form the basis for future plans to improve this site for all age groups.

The Town Council works in partnership with Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council on many matters affecting the town, there are Council representatives on a range of outside bodies and there are regular meetings with the Wareham Chamber of Trade. In 2006, the Council supported a highly successful move of the Saturday Street Market to the Quay. This now forms an important part of the Saturday scene, attracting visitors from far and wide who also spend time at other shops in the town. Also in 2006, the Town Council co-ordinated and supported a new 'Wareham Guggenmusik Festival' with marching 'Gugge' bands from Bournemouth, Germany and Switzerland converging on the Quay, together with Wareham Town Band, culminating in a grand fireworks display. Guggenmusik translates as 'Happy Music', the festival was the first event of its kind in the United Kingdom and was great family entertainment! We hope to see Guggenmusik continue as a major annual event for Wareham's residents and visitors.

Bookings
The Town Council takes bookings for the Recreation Ground (cricket and football pitches), the use of the Corn Exchange situated in the Town Hall for jumble sales, farmers markets, meetings etc., and for use of the Council Chamber for weddings and civil partnerships. Those who wish to book are requested to telephone 01929 553006 and speak to the administrative staff.

Allotments
The Town Council ensures that allotment sites are provided for local residents in the town, at Northmoor and Bestwall. Contact the Council offices for details of the allotments secretary at your preferred site. In 2006, the Town Council approved a new 'Best Kept Allotment Competition' for its hard working gardeners and the presentations of trophies will take place annually in October.

Wareham Community Plan
In 2005, Wareham Town Council adopted the Wareham Community Plan as the cornerstone of its future policies and is working to implement all aspects of what local residents said they wanted for their town after extensive consultation. With the help of community organisations and volunteers the Council is committed to all of its goals, including a priority goal of affordable housing for local people. A major initiative on local housing need is planned for the Spring of 2008 in a 'Housing Action Day' at the Corn Exchange, together with Purbeck District Council housing officers and professional housing and marketing experts. Copies of the Community Plan have been delivered to every household and may also be viewed at the Town Council offices on request. If you want to get involved as a community volunteer, please let us know and we will pass on your details.

Wareham Town Council:
"Working for Wareham"
Tel. 01929 553006 (General Enquiries)
Town Clerk: 01929 550771

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ANNUAL REPORT

Each year Wareham Town Council publishes a report, which outlines the achievements of the Town Council and its Committees over the past twelve months. It also includes a summary of the annual accounts for the preceding financial year.

The annual report, which may be viewed by clicking on the link on the right, is presented by the Mayor to the Annual Town Meeting, which is held for the members of the parish of Wareham annually in April. The public are welcome to attend this meeting and electors of Wareham may ask questions which may be referred to a Council meeting thereafter.

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WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE

Wareham Town Guide
Available free from the Tourist Information Office in South Street opposite the library. Or:

Download here in PDF format.

Wareham Town Guide requires Adobe Reader installed on your computer.

Download free here.

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COUNCILLORS

Mayor
Mr. E. L. Osmond
Liberal Democrat
3 Causeway Close, Wareham BH20 4BE
01929 551000

Deputy Mayor
Mrs. D. R. Cleaton
Liberal Democrat
1 Avon Drive, Wareham
BH20 4EL
01929 553149

Mrs. A. Tighe Labour
Pear Tree Cottage,
2D St. Martins Lane, Wareham BH20 4HP
01929 556384

Mr. M. G. Russell
Conservative
106 Northmoor Way, Wareham BH20 4ET
01929 553648
Click here for his Mayor's Blog

Mr. D. A. Budd
Liberal Democrat
25 Bestwall Road, Wareham BH20 4HY
01929 552017

Mr. K. J. Green
Liberal Democrat
20 Stockley Road, Wareham BH20 4EZ
01929 556010

Mr. K. W. T. Critchley
Liberal Democrat
4 Carey Approach, Wareham BH20 4BD
01929 552651

Mrs. M. A. Selby
Independent
10 Mistover Road, Wareham BH20 4BY
01929 556527

Mrs. P. Bowyer-Davis
Independent
10 East Street, Wareham BH20 4NP
01929 551681

Mrs. S. Elmes
Liberal Democrat
Back to Basics, Northport, Wareham BH20 4AT
01929 552603

Mrs. C. Turner
Independent
7 Bestwall Crescent, Wareham BH20 4JB
01929 556761

Mr. D. P. Critchley
Liberal Democrat
Flat 5, 27 Sandringham Road, Lower Parkstone, Poole BH14 8TH
01202 749248

Mr.T. Williams
Liberal Democrat
61 Sandford Road, Wareham, BH20 4DQ
01929 550190

Linda Kenyon

Contact details to follow.

Dina Adkins

Contact details to follow.

Vera Green

Contact details to follow.

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COUNCIL PROPERTIES

Play Area Recreation Ground

Football on the Recreation Ground

The Town Hall, East Street.
The Recreation Ground, Worgret Road.
Howard's Lane Car Park, Wareham.
Carey Hall play Area, Northmoor.
Hauses Field and play area, Northmoor.
Play area, Northport.

bmx

BMX action at Hauses Field

Cricket on the Recreation Ground

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MAYORS

1336 R. SCHIPMAN
1350 R. CHYK
1356 J. HOD
1382 R. MAYHU
1393 R. MAYHEW
1406 R. COLEMAN
1427 R. BYLE
1433 T. FAGON
1436 R. BYLE
1445 T. DOGE
1450 S. RAWLIN
1451 S. ALLEN
1458 J.RESON
1471 R. ELLIS
1482 J. CLEWELL
1510 S. ADAM
1518 J.JERRARD
1531 G.GERRARD
1547 H.SQUYER
1551 W. EDMONDS
1552 P. BAUCAM
1559 J. EDMONDS
1564 T. CADBERRY
1569 R.FRANK
1570 W.MOGGE
1609 T. HAYNES
1614 W. KENNEL
1615 H. HARBYN
1623 T. HAINE
1637 E. HARBYN
1702 R. COLE
1703 J.FLINT
1704 R. KAINES
1705 J. GOODWIN
1706 W. CRIBB
1707 C.WHITE
1708 COOMBER
1709 G.GIGGER
1710 G. REDWOOD
1711 R. KAINES
1712 J. GOODWIN
1713 W. CRIBB
1714 J. GIGGER
1715 R. SEWARD
1716 C. WHITE
1717 G. REDWOOD
1718 J. GOODWIN
1719 W. CRIBB
1720 J. GIGGER
1721 A. TREW
1722 G. REDWOOD
1723 J. GOODWIN
1724 W. CRIBB
1725 J. GIGGER
1726 A. TREW
1727 R. SEWARD
1728 D. DUGDALE
1729 W. FRAMPTON
1730 G. REDWOOD
1731 W. CRIBB
1732 J. GOODWIN
1733 A. TREW
1734 G. REDWOOD
1735 W. FRAMPTON
1736 A. TREW
1737 H. BESTLAND
1738 J. BEZANT
1739 W. FRAMPTON
1740 A. TREW
1741 R. SEWARD
1742 J. BEZANT
1743 A. TREW
1744 R. GOODWIN
1745 R. SEWARD
1746 H. HARBIN
1747 A. TREW
1748 J. BEZANT
1749 H. HARBIN
1750 W, FILLITER
1751 J. BEZANT
1752 T. BUXTON
1752 W. FILLITER
1753 T. BUXTON
1754 W. FILLITER
1777 R. HARRIS
1778 H. GILES

1779 J. LAWRENCE
1780 J. CARD
1781 W. CLAVILL
1782 J. DAMPIER
1783 J. GOODWIN
1784 R. HARRIS
1785 H. GILES
1786 J. LAWRENCE
1787 J. CARD
1788 W. CLAVILL
1789 W. COLE
1790 J. DAMPIER
1791 S. WHITE
1792 J. LAWRENCE
1793 J. CARD
1794 R. SWAYNE
1795 J. DAMPIER
1796 R. SWAYNE
1797 S. WHITE
1798 J. LAWRENCE
1799 J. WILLS
1800 J. CARD
1801 R. SWAYNE
1802 J.DAMPIER
1803 S. WHITE
1804 J. LAWRENCE
1805 J. WILLS (Died)
1805 J. CARD
1806 R. ROBINSON
1807 S. WHITE
1808 REV. G. H. HYDE
1809 J. CARD
1810 J. LAWRENCE
1810 R. ROBINSON
1811 E. DEAN
1812 H. HAMMOND
1813 S. WHITE
1814 REV. G. H. HYDE
1755 C. HILL
1756 J. FLORENCE
1757 J.LAWRENCE
1758 W. FILLITER
1759 C. HILL
1760 J. FLORENCE
1761 J.LAWRENCE
1762 W. FILLITER
1763 C. HILL
1764 R.GOODWIN
1765 R. HARRIS
1766 J.LAWRENCE
1767 J. FLORENCE
1768 C. HILL
1769 W. FILLITER
1770 R. HARRIS
1771 J.LAWRENCE
1772 W. CLAVILL
1773 J. FLORENCE
1774 J. DAMPIER
1775 J. SLADE
1776 J. GOODWIN
1815 J. CARD
1816 J. COLE
1817 T. PINK
1818 E. DEAN
1819 J. HANWELL
1820 H. HAMMOND
1821 S. WHITE
1822 J.STAINES
1823 REV. G. H. HYDE
1824 H. EVERINGHAM
1825 T. PINK
1826 E. DEAN
1827 J. HANWELL
1828 J. S. COPE
1829 H. HAMMOND
1830 S. WHITE
1831 H. EVERINGHAM
1832 T. PINK
1833E. DEAN
1834 J. HANWELL
1835 C. BASKETT
1836 J. S. COPE
1837 W. MORTIMER
1838 W. DUGDALE
1839 S. BENNETT
1840 E. CARD

1843 W. MORTIMER
1844 J. A. TASKER
1845 S. BENNETT
1846 J. T. LEGGET
1847 E. EVERINGHAM
1848 S. BASKETT
1849 J. PANTON
1850 C. FILLITER
1851 S. BENNETT
1852 C. FILLITER
1853 W. H. HALL
1854 T. PHIPPARD
1855 C. FILLITER
1856 J. PANTON
1857 J. HEATHERLAND
1858 S. BENNETT
1859 T. PHIPPARD
1860 A. MINTY
1861 J. PANTON
1862 C. WILLCOX
1863 F. FILLITER
1864 S. BENNETT
1865 F. FILLITER
1866 S. BENNETT
1867 C. WILLCOX
1868 T. RANDALL
1869 W. DANIEL
1870 S. BENNETT
1871 C. WILLCOX
1872 J. A. PANTON
1873 T.RANDALL
1874 T. L. SKEWES
1875 W. DANIEL
1876 W. T. BOREHAM
1877 S. W. BENNETT
1878 T. L. SKEWES
1879 S. BENNETT
1880 F. MARSHALLSAY
1881 W. DANIEL
1882 C.SELBY
1884 S. W. BENNETT
1885 S. W. BENNETT
1886 F. FILLITER
1887 W. DANIEL
1888 F. FILLITER
1889 F. FILLITER
1890 W. P. COLLIHOLE
1891 J. S. DREW
1892 W. CROCKER
1893 F. FILLITER
1894 J.A. DREW
1895 H.CHAMBERS
1896 S. W. BENNETT
1897 J. A. DREW
1898 J. A. DREW
1899 W. CROCKER
1900 W. CROCKER
1901 W. P. COLLIHOLE
1902 S. W. BENNETT
1903 F. O. BELL
1904 G. E. PAUL
1905 G. E. PAUL
1906 G. DICKER
1907 G. DICKER
1908 E. R. SMITH
1909 E. R. SMITH
1910 J. H. BRADLEY
1911 J. H. BRADLEY
1912 J. H. BRADLEY
1913 J. H. BRADLEY
1914 E. S. CLARK
1915 E. S. CLARK
1916 E. S. CLARK
1917 E. S. CLARK
1918 E. S. CLARK
1919 A. E. BUSSEY
1920 J. H. BRADLEY
1921 J. H. BRADLEY
1922 F. V. SYMES
1923 F. V. SYMES
1841 H. EVERINGHAM
1842 C. BASKETT
1843 W. DUGDALE

1924 REV. F. GORAM
1925 REV. F. GORAM

1926 REV. F. GORAM

1927 S. B. BYE
1928 S. B. BYE
1929 S. B. BYE

1930 R. H. HOLLAND
1931 R. H. HOLLAND
1932 REV. F. GORAM
1933 REV. F. GORAM
1934 J. H. BRADLEY
1935 J. H. BRADLEY
1936 J. H. BRADLEY
1937 A. T. MOSS
1938 A. T. MOSS
1940 A. T. MOSS
1941 A. T. MOSS
1942 J. T. NORMAN
1943 J. T. NORMAN
1944 J. T. NORMAN
1945 H. KIRKPATRICK
1946 H. KIRKPATRICK
1947 A. KNOWLMAN
1948 A. KNOWLMAN
1949 H. KIRKPATRICK
1950 H. KIRKPATRICK
1951 E. B. BROWN
1952 E. B. BROWN
1953 E. B. BROWN
1954 H. BROUGHTON
1955 H. BROUGHTON
1956 MRS E, RAY
1957 MRS E, RAY
1958 MRS E, RAY
1959 A. T. MOSS
1960 A. T. MOSS
1961 MRS J. SANSOM
1962 MRS J. SANSOM
1963 R. DIXON
1964 J. BAGGS
1965 J. BAGGS
1966 H. BROUGHTON
1967 C. HODGE
1968 J. SPILLER
1969 J. SPILLER
1970 L. SILK
1971 E. MOLE
1972 R. ANDERSON
1973 S. LEE
1974 S. LEE
1975 C. R. PATTERSON
1976 W. BROUGHTON
1977 C. R. PATTERSON
1978 C. R. PATTERSON
1979 C. R. PATTERSON
1980 M. PASCALL
1981 M. PASCALL
1982 W. BROUGHTON
1983 W. BROUGHTON
1984 A. T. W. SUTTON
1985 A. T. W. SUTTON
1986 A. T. W. SUTTON
1987 A. T. W. SUTTON
1988 K. CRITCHLEY
1989 A. B. L. REID
1990 D. A. BUDD
1991 D. A. BUDD
1992 R. ANDERSON J.P.
1993 R. ANDERSON J.P.
1994 R. ANDERSON J.P.
1995 E. L. OSMOND
1996 E. L. OSMOND
1997 C. R. PATTERSON
1998 R. E. HUSKINSON
1999 R. E. HUSKINSON
2000 REV. K. C. BIRD
2001 D. R. CLEATON
2002 C. R. PATTERSON
2003 K. GREEN
2004 A. SELBY
2005 D. BAGGS
2006 L. P. BURNS
2007 S. ELMES
2008 M. G. RUSSELL
2009 A. TIGHE
2010 E. OSMOND

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TOWN CLERKS

1703 Robert LODER
(named in the Charter)
1712 R KAINES
1719 George FILLITER
1740 Thomas TOPP
1743 William FILLITER

1750 Walter NICHOLS
1765 T BARTLETT
1789 T BARTLETT Jr.
1823 O BARTLETT
1886 F FILLITER
1916 A LAWS

1920 E S CLARK
1921 J W MILLER
1936 H KIRK
1966 F R SHUTTE
1974 P D RANDALL
1989 M C TYRER J.P.

2000 Michael PRESTON
2002 Jane EAMES
2004 Pamela PAPANI
2005 Rod CURTIS

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CONTACT

Contact can be made by:
Telephone: 01929 553006
Fax: 01929 553521
E-mail: mailto:clerk@wareham-tc.gov.uk

The office is open to the public:
10 am till 1 pm Monday to Friday.
Town Clerk 9am till 5pm.

Town Hall
East Street
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 4NS

Click here for map.

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