Council Overview

The Town Council is the smallest and most local level of Government. With a population in excess of 14,000 (and rising) the Town Council is by far the largest of the 8 parishes within the borough of Dartford and provides services to over 1300 more properties than any of the other parishes (it is also the only Town within the borough of Dartford).

Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council is essentially a Parish Council but has adopted Town status which means the Chairman of the Town Council is designated Mayor. The Town Council, unlike District, Borough or County Council’s, has few statutory duties (things that have to be done) but many powers (things that can be done). Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council seeks to exercise its powers for the benefit of the communities of Swanscombe and Greenhithe villages.

The Town Council provides a variety of recreation, social and other facilities for the benefit of residents and people who work in and visit the Town area, working in partnership with other Councils and agencies to promote and deliver local services. The Town Council has 13 Councillors elected by the residents every four years (please click here for details of the most recent election results). Full Council meets at least 5 times a year to consider issues affecting the Town and the services provided. There are also 5 main Committees (Community Safety Committee,  Finance and General Purposes Committee, Planning, Major Developments, Transport and Environment Committee and the Recreation, Leisure and Amenities Committee) along with various sub-committees. Please click on the bee to see some of the services the Town Council provides.

All meetings are open to the public (please come along), more information about the Town Council meetings can be viewed here as well as via the calendar on the homepage, on notice boards throughout the Town and also at the Council Offices.

Each year the Town Council hosts an Annual Open Town Council Meeting (usually in May). This meeting is chaired by the Town Mayor who, along with the Chairmen of the main Committees, reports briefly on the work of the Town Council in the previous year. Any resident of the Town may attend and ask any questions relating to the work of Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council. Along with the Council reporting on its work local organisations also give a resume of what they have been doing throughout the previous year.

Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council is the part of the Government closest to the residents, the Town consists of 3 wards;  Greenhithe, Knockhall and Swanscombe.

The Town Councillors do not receive any payment for the work that they do at the Town Council or in the community. They recognise that at times there may be confusion as to who does what in the Town, and endeavour to ensure that by continuing to work closely with other agencies duplication of services can be avoided.

The Town Council plays an important role in the planning process and is consulted on any application for planning permission in the Town that the Local Planning Authorities (Dartford Borough Council, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation) receives. Members of the public are encouraged, and welcome, to attend meetings of the Planning, Major Developments, Transport and Environment Committee to see how the process is operated.

Working together with the people of Swanscombe and Greenhithe, and other local providers, to develop caring, quality services for the ever changing needs of the communities (old and new) at an affordable cost, Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council is committed to ensuring the Town remains a vibrant and attractive place in which to work, live and visit.