Archive for category: News

NOTICE OF VACANCY

IN OFFICE OF COUNCIL

Parish of Atherstone (South)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that a casual vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for the Parish Council.
If by 18 March, 2025 (14 days excluding Dies Non, after the date of this notice) a request for an
election to fill said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at the address below by TEN
electors for the said Parish, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy
will be filled by co-option.
If an election is called, it will take place not later than 23 May, 2025.
Dated 26 February, 2025
Steve Maxey
Returning Officer
The Council House
South Street
Atherstone
Warwickshire
CV9 1DE

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

The Ruby Chambers Young Sports Person Award 2024

Atherstone Town Council invites nominations for an annual award dedicated to former councillor the late Ruby Chambers and given to an U18 in the Atherstone community who has realised a sporting achievement.

The late Cllr Chambers was Town Mayor in 2006-7 and dedicated much of her life to furthering the opportunities for young and disadvantaged members of the community. She had a natural affinity with young people and was always the champion of the underdog. Cllr Jarvis once described Ruby as “fiercely independent, a real fighter for a good cause… generous, kind and convinced that everyone has the potential to be more than they think can be.”

If you know a young person who embodies this spirit of determination, persistence and sporting achievement, then please write to the council to Town Council at:

, or post your nomination letters to PO Box 2000, Atherstone, CV9 1YN.

The deadline for nominations is 12^TH March 2025

The Winter and January Sales are one of the busiest and important times of year for retailers right across the West Midlands.

But as shoppers take to our High Streets so unfortunately it seems do shop lifters – in increasing numbers!

Nationally retail theft* has risen significantly [29%] in recent years [see Figure 1] a problem recognised by the government as having a serious impact on retail businesses, their employees and local economies.

Figure 1: Number of shoplifting offences recorded by police forces in England and Wales, year ending March 2003 to the year ending June 2024

Yet one small market town – Atherstone – with its bustling high street of independent retail businesses, supermarkets cafes and bars, has managed to buck this national trend

One year ago, [June 2023] shoplifting rates in Atherstone were on the rise, at around 18/1000 and running at around four times the County average.

Now thanks to their state-of-the-art CCTV network, manned by a team of experienced operators with direct links with to local shops and the police, utilising the TownWatch radio scheme and new DISC app, this year shoplifting rates in the town centre have fallen over the last year by 43%.

Figure 2: Shoplifting Rate for Atherstone Central

Town Councillor, Gwyn Short who chairs the CCTV partnership group [a group established between Atherstone Town Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council and the Safer Neighbourhood Team (North Warwickshire East) to jointly manage the CCTV network.]

We know that many small businesses in our high street cannot afford to lose thousands of pounds through retail theft or to hire security staff.

This “real time approach to tackling crime in our town prevents retail crime before it happens, and fast-tracks a police response when incidents happen “

Borough Councillor Ray Jarvis [Chair of the Safer Communities Committee, North Warwickshire Borough Council] added

“As councils we have worked together over several years with the local police to establish this new system and we are proud of what has been achieved. As well as being a lovely and historic place to visit, Atherstone is now a much safer and secure place to shop – and this reduction in crime has benefited both local businesses and shoppers “

*Retail crime is defined as “criminal activities that specifically target retail establishments, such as shops, supermarkets, or shopping centres”

The Town Council has three vacancies: one for the North Ward, one for South Ward and one for the Central Ward to be filled by co- option at the Full Council on January 22nd 2025.

Anyone wishing to know more about the role of a Councillor should contact the Clerk at

Written applications via email or post are invited by Midday on Wednesday 15^th January 2025, explaining your reasons for wishing to be considered for co-option, should be addressed to the clerk.

BECOME A LOCAL TOWN COUNCILLOR

JOIN US AND MAKE A LOCAL CHANGE

Kate Clover

Town Clerk

18th November  2024

updated to 3 vacancies 17.12.24

Atherstone Town Council is committed to keeping our town safe with a modern CCTV system featuring:

• High-resolution cameras covering key areas.
• 24/7 monitoring by dedicated officers in partnership with the Police.
• Connections to Town Watch Radio and Police HQ for rapid response.

Last year, this system helped prevent crime and supported successful prosecutions—but we want to make it even better!

Your input matters! Complete our quick survey here: CCTV Survey

Help us ensure Atherstone remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

Don’t wait—share your views today!