ABOUT USDunstable Town Council serves and supports residents, businesses and visitors. We are one of the country’s largest town councils. Our services cover everything from events to allotments, a cemetery, town rangers, public toilets, parks and green spaces, youth and older people’s services and historic sites such as Priory House Heritage Centre and Tea Rooms.
In all it does, Dunstable Town Council aims to make Dunstable a better place to live, work, and visit.
Dunstable Town Council is led by elected councillors representing different wards across Dunstable. The Town Clerk and Chief Executive manages the organisation and is supported by Heads of Service, who oversee various service areas with approximately 50 staff members. View the staff structure (PDF).
The Council is completely independent of Central Bedfordshire Council. The Council is funded by an element of Council tax which it sets independently, added to income raised through commercial activities.
Dunstable Town Council is responsible for the following services:
Corporate and Democratic Services
- Mayoral and Civic Functions
- Councillors
- Meetings and committees
- Internal IT
- Personnel, jobs and recruitment
- Town Twinning
- Town Council Website
- Town Council Communications
- Hire of Town Council venues
- Community Grants and Funding
Grounds and Environmental Services
- Dunstable Cemetery
- Allotments
- Parks and Open Spaces
- Town Rangers
- Play Areas
- Floral Displays
- Dunstable in Bloom
- Pavilions/pitch bookings
Community Services
- Town Centre
- Youth Work
- Priory House
- Older People
- Events Programme
- Middle Row Markets
- Ashton Square Toilets
- Bennett’s Café & Community Hub + Bennett’s Splash
Council History
Dunstable’s first charter, granting independent market rights was granted in 1131 and re-affirmed and extended by successive medieval monarchs. The town continued to function as a borough until the 16th century. A charter of 1864 established the modern Borough Council which was absorbed into the new South Bedfordshire district in 1974. The Town’s civic traditions were continued by the District Councillors for the town acting as Charter Trustees who annually elected a Town Mayor from their number.
The Town Council was established in April 1985 following a local campaign to provide local representation and services. Today, the council plays a vital role in shaping Dunstable, making it a better place to live, work and visit.
CAREERS
Working for Dunstable Town Council
Aside from working for a stable, Investors in People Silver Awarded Employer that cares about its workforce, working for Dunstable Town Council allows you to be genuinely involved in making a difference for your local community. The Council offers roles across a number of different disciplines, from youth work to grounds work to organising events and managing community
