Introduction to the Council

Formed in 2003, the current Bury St Edmunds Town Council comprises 16 Councillors to represent the 8 wards of the town. Within this website you will read of the specific areas of service undertaken by the Town Council but undoubtedly its greatest strength is its commitment to meeting community needs and expectations. This commitment comes from the Council's desire to provide its townspeople with relevant services in a manner that is fair, equal, allows community enjoyment and gives value for money. In support of this vision, the Council seeks to fulfill its statutory and community requirements, working with the community and in partnership.

Bury St Edmunds Town Council deals with the town of Bury St Edmunds only and as a Parish/Town council is sometimes referred to as the ‘3rd tier of Local Government' after Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk Council (see below for more details).

The town itself is split into 8 Wards; Abbeygate, Eastgate, Minden, Moreton Hall, Southgate, St Olaves, Tollgate and Westgate and each ward has one or more Councillors.

The Town Councils offices are located at 79 Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds and are normally staffed during working hours but due to other commitments, the office may be unattended during some of these periods. It is suggested that before making a special trip, please contact one of the staff team and book an appointment.

For more information about how this Council and the other types of Council (district, borough and unitary) work visit:

Gov.uk website - Understand how your council works

National Association of Local Councils (NALC)

Suffolk Association of Local Councils (SALC)

Other people who can assist you

The townspeople of Bury St Edmunds also benefit from services provided by other organisations, for example:

• West Suffolk Council provides services in its local areas such as:
  • electoral registers;
  • environmental health;
  • housing;
  • housing benefit;
  • parks sport and leisure centres;
  • licensing;
  • planning and building control;
  • waste collection and recycling
• Suffolk County Council is responsible for major services which are provided countywide. These include:
  • Trading Standards;
  • Education and learning (including schools);
  • Environment including household waste recycling centres;
  • Suffolk Records Office;
  • Registration of births, marriages and deaths;
  • Adult Social care;
  • Roads and Transport;
  • Concessionary bus pass scheme
  • 'Blue badge' scheme
• Suffolk Constabulary
  • Lost & found property
• Local health services are delivered by West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust and West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group
• Department for Work & Pensions
• Citizens' Advice Bureau