Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Mayor, Cllr Mrs Gill Birch, signs the charter with Sandhurst Town Council Mayor, Cllr Nick Allen The first official Town and Parish Council Charter was signed by the Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest and Sandhurst Town Council Mayor on Wednesday (September 12) to commit both councils to working in together for the benefit of residents.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council and Sandhurst Town Council decided to work closely together a year ago by entering a pilot charter. Following the successful partnership it was decided to make the commitment to work together official by signing Bracknell Forest's first full Town and Parish Council Charter - an agreement which is used by town, parish and borough councils across the country.

The charter, which was signed at a meeting of the Parish and Town Council's Liaison Group, makes stronger links between the two councils for communicating with residents and jointly consulting them on issues which may impact on their well-being, environment and the society which they have chosen to liven in.

It will also help both councils continue to deliver and monitor quality services to residents, visitors, and businesses in the Sandhurst area together rather than separately - meaning services are not duplicated but strengthened.

The signing of the Charter marks the first step in creating even closer links between Bracknell borough council and the six town and parish councils in the borough. It is hoped that charters with the other parish and town councils will be entered into in the near future.

Cllr Mrs Gill Birch, Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest, said: ""This Charter recognises how important it is for the borough council to work closely with town and parish councils in the area.

"It makes it clear what is expected of each council and where responsibilities for certain services lie - which can only strengthen the quality services we already provide to our residents. I'm delighted Sandhurst Town Council - which is a recognised Quality Town Council - has been the first to sign the charter with us, and I look forward to seeing other town and parish councils enter charters with us in the future."

Cllr Nick Allen, Mayor of Sandhurst Town Council said, "As a Quality Status Council, Sandhurst Town Council is very pleased to sign the Charter with Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

"This Charter recognises the excellent working relationship between Sandhurst Town Council and Bracknell Forest Borough Council, and gives us a solid platform to further develop our joint work to achieve benefits for the communities that we jointly serve."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council