Bradley Stoke’s Town Clerk, David Chandler, is to step down from his role after some 17 years of service.

Mr Chandler, who will retire at the end of the year, joined the town council when it was formed in 1992.

The parish council was formed and quickly transformed into a town council which allowed the election of a mayor.

A job advert for a new town clerk is likely to be distributed in the coming months.

Councillors agreed the job description, which calls for applicants with “leadership and administrative skills”, at a recent meeting.

The first of the councillor surgeries at The Willow Brook Centre is due to take place this weekend.

The events give residents the chance to have direct contact with their local town councillor.

They were previously held at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre but a move to the new town centre was agreed in May.

Representatives from the town council are due at the town centre between 10am and midday on Saturday, 6 June 2009.

South Gloucestershire planners have recommended an application for greater control over the size of units at The Willow Brook Centre be granted.

The management of the centre wanted to be able to alter the layout of units without having to apply for planning permission in order to allow them to respond better to the needs of tenants.

But planners have imposed restrictions after Bradley Stoke Town Council objected to the application saying it could lead to “extremes” and a “loss of [planning] control”.

Planners noted the town council comments saying a complete lack of regulation could “potentially allow for extreme cases of subdivision where units become extremely small, and so undermine the vitality of the town centre.”

The planners’ report added: “In contrast, there could also be extremes where units become too large.”

It went on: “On this basis, conditions should be imposed which would allow the Local Planning Authority an element of control. It is suggested that two forms of condition are used. In order to prevent a saturation of very small kiosk type units.

“Such a condition would restrict the maximum number of units of less than 115 square metres to 10.

“This would prevent saturation of small units, yet would allow a reasonable number to be implemented as it is recognised that small units are valuable in town centres.”

A suggested size limit of 500m sq in the mall area and 1,600sq m in the retail units has also been suggested.

A final decision is likely to be made within the next three weeks.

Pictured: Former mayor Robert Jones alongside new mayor Mark Forsyth

Bradley Stoke’s new mayor has been named as Councillor Mark Forsyth, following the town council Annual General Meeting.

Cllr Forsyth replaces Robert Jones who stepped down from his post after 12 months.

Speaking at the AGM, Cllr Forsyth said it is a “great honour” to take up the role adding that although he does not live in the town but will do his best to serve it.

Meanwhile, the mayor’s charity – the National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s – were given a cheque worth almost £7,000.

The money came from various fundraising activities during Cllr Jones’ tenure including the annual festival and fireworks display.

Click more below for our blow-by-blow coverage of the meeting.

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Out-going mayor Robert Jones’ charity appeal for the the National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease (NACC) is expected to have raised more than £5,000.

The exact amount is due to be revealed at Bradley Stoke Town Council’s annual general meeting on Wednesday.

The cash was raised at various events during the past year including the Bradley Stoke Festival and November’s fireworks display.

Councillor Jones, a Crohn’s Disease sufferer, said: “I’m delighted with the total raised and very grateful to everyone who has donated.

“My thanks also to the volunteers from NACC who have helped out with the collections and supported Council’s events in the past year.”

NACC Avon Group Chair, Georgie Bigg, said: “It’s been a fantastic opportunity for our group of volunteers to get involved in local activities and helps fund raise.

“It’s good to know so many people will benefit.”

The AGM gets under way at 7.30pm at the Jubilee Centre on Savages Wood Road.

Bradley Stoke’s monthly councillor surgeries could move from the town’s leisure centre to the Willow Brook Centre.

The proposal will be heard at the town council’s annual general meeting which will take place on Wednesday, 20 May 2009.

The move would give the councillors more visability at a centre which, according to figures for February 2009, has a footfall of more than 70,000-per-month.

The council had been planning an office move to the centre but that has been put on hold while they consider an alternative to redevelop the nearby Jubilee Centre.

The meeting will also see a mayor elected for 2009/10 as well as the formation of the youth sub-committee ratified.

The meeting gets under way at 7.30pm at the Jubilee Centre on Savages Wood Road.

Bradley Stoke Annual Town Meeting report:
• Toddler group receives apology
• Youth group has ‘challenges’ ahead
• Other news from the meeting

An apology has been issued to a toddler group using the Brook Way Activity Centre because of a lack of communication over the move of Bradley Stoke’s youth centre.

The group have collected a 251-name petition thinking they were about to be evicted from the centre.

But Bradley Stoke Town Council said daytime users of Brook Way would be able to stay with the youth centre active in the evening.

Councillor Mark Forsyth told the town’s annual meeting that they “would not want to see youth work impact on daytime users”.

He claimed they “never intended” to stop daytime users from being able to hire the centre.

The toddler group itself was described by one mother who attended the meeting as “being a lifeline for mums”.

The subject of youth work also put the council’s recent decision to move the club from the Jubilee Centre under the spotlight .

One youth pointed out the move to Brook Way would mean a 40 minute walk for some who live at the far ends of the town.

Councillor Brian Hopkinson suggested land in the centre of Bradley Stoke which had previously earmarked for a health centre could be used for a youth centre.

Cllr Hopkinson also addressed the thorny subject of Patchway youths using the Bradley Stoke centre saying “there may be challenges ahead”.

Bradley Stoke Town Council recently suggested that a contribution from Patchway Town Council could guarantee access for those children.

But, minutes published on the Patchway Town Council website from a recent finance meeting said contributing a suggested £12,000 left them with “many concerns”.

Other worries raised included anti-social behaviour on Saxon Way and concerns over medical provision in Bradley Stoke .

The Bradley Stoke Examiner’s exclusive about Sir Geoff Hurst attending this year’s community festival was also confirmed – the World Cup hero will be bringing the FA Community Shield.

A presentation on sport also gave Northavon Bowls Club the opportunity to question the town council’s commitment to sport – citing the fact seven of ten members abstained in a crucial vote in 2008 over rent at Bailey’s Court.