Saffron Walden is located in NW Essex some 50 miles from London, but in a largely unspoilt rural area. This very attractive town is one of the finest preserved examples of a medieval market town and is quintessentially English. Within its outstanding Conservation Area you can find examples of every style of architecture from the 12th to the 21st century. The town is close to, but largely undisturbed by, Stansted airport and has excellent links to Cambridge, just 15 miles away.

For more information on Saffron Walden including things to do and places to stay, please see www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk

The Council has 16 elected members, each elected for a term of four years. For election purposes the town is divided into three wards. The Chairman of the Council is the Town Mayor and is elected annually in May.
A committee system is operated. Each committee has specific functions, meets regularly and submits reports and recommendations to the full Council. Details of committees and their meetings can be obtained from the Town Council offices. The Committees, with their broad areas of responsibility are:-

• Property, Services and Finance: Responsibility for all Council properties including the Town Hall and Golden Acre Community Centre; for administering grants, dealing with consultations by other local authorities and Government bodies on all matters other than planning and responsibility for all matters relating to staffing, administration, structure and organisation of the Council.
• Planning and Road Traffic: Consideration of all planning applications and subsequent comments and observations to the planning authority. Preparation of submissions to planning appeals and inquiries and comment on Local and Structure Plans. Consideration of all road traffic matters affecting the town, including parking. Consideration of all matters relating to street naming.
• Recreation and Playing Fields: Responsibility for all playing fields and play equipment and for allotments. Responsibility for the purchase or acquisition of playing fields or other major external recreational facilities.