Welcome to Fordingbridge Town Council
Our Current Meetings
Warning: Toxic Hemlock Plants Identified at Sweatford Water Meadows
TOWN COUNCILLOR VACANCIES
Two casual vacancies have arisen on the Fordingbridge Town Council.
If you care about Fordingbridge and would like to have more of a say in what goes on in your town, why not become a town councillor.
As a councillor, you can become a real voice for your community and effect real change.
Why don’t you put your name forward and see what difference you can make?
The Town Council is looking to co-opt two councillors at its General Council meeting on Wednesday 2nd October 2024.
Interested candidates should write to The Clerk, by Friday 27th September, explaining why they would like to be a councillor and listing the principal skills and experience that they could bring to the role.
For more information on the process of co-option and the role of a town councillor, please contact The Clerk, Paul Goddard on 01425 654134 or by email: paul.goddard@fordingbridge.gov.uk
Stronger Together Across Ringwood & Fordingbridge – STARF
We are a local charity giving help and support to families in crisis in our Ringwood & Fordingbridge Schools.
Our vision is:
All families at Ringwood & Fordingbridge Schools should have access to the support they need to develop and grow. No child should have to face poverty and mental health problems alone.
Visit our website https://www.starf.uk or email help@starf.uk for more information.
Annual Governance and Accountability Returns
We are checking our electoral register.
You might get an email or letter from us, or someone might knock on your door. Follow the instructions to check your details are up to date.
Visit the New Forest District Council website for more information.
About Fordingbridge
Fordingbridge is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the name Forde.
The River Avon runs through the town which lies 13 miles south of Salisbury.
To the east is the New Forest and to the west are the Western Downlands and Cranborne Chase. The current population is approximately 6000 people.
The first Great Bridge, from which the town received its present name, was built in mediaeval times prior to 1252.
It is built of local stone and has a total of 7 arches spanning the river.
Although it has been subject to various works over the years it remains a major feature of the town.
A bronze statue of the controversial painter, Augustus John, stands on the banks of the Avon near the Great Bridge.
The town enjoys a beautiful park where visitors and locals can take advantage of the river, the children’s play area, skate park, secluded memorial gardens and sports playing fields.
Since 1982 Fordingbridge has been twinned with Vimoutiers in Normandy.
It is also home to Fordingbridge Turks FC, one of the 50 oldest football clubs in England, established circa 1868.
Fordingbridge Town Council is politically independent and has 12 elected councillors who are accountable to the electors of the town.
Currently we have 8 members of staff and the annual precept for 2020/21 is approximately £230,000.
As a Town Council we are the first layer of local government.
Our aim is to engage local people and respond to their needs, through representation as community advocates and by providing services such as parks and open spaces.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Fordingbridge Town Council is responsible for the provision and maintenance of our recreation ground, parks, children’s play areas, playing fields, allotments and cemeteries at Stuckton and the closed cemetery of St Mary’s Church. In addition to the management of these open spaces, we also maintain the Town Hall, Sports Pavilion, Riverside Café and toilets and the War Memorial.
We operate Fordingbridge Information Office which is your local face to face contact point for help and advice on all issues relating to our town. We administer a range of functions on behalf of the New Forest District Council including housing benefit, council tax reduction, waste/recycling, planning, sale of parking clocks and refuse sacks, payment of council tax, council rents and much more. We are a referring agent for Food Bank Vouchers and we also provide visitor information.
The activities the town council is involved in are varied and diverse. We have a range of functions including representative powers and must be notified by the District or County Council of all planning applications in our area, proposals to carry out works and surveys etc. We liaise with relevant authorities regarding infrastructure, policing, community issues and represent the views and needs of the community.
COST OF LIVING
RESOURCES
HELP IS AVAILABLE
ROAD
CLOSURES
Local roadworks are available from the One.Network
TEMPORARY CLOSURE
Part of Fordingbridge footpath 83
PARKING
CLOCKS
GET YOUR 2024 PARKING CLOCKS
