(THE ABOVE IMAGE SHOWS THE WOODEN PLAQUES CURRENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.)

Bungay Town Council was established in 1973, following changes in the structure of local government in England and Wales which abolished Bungay Urban District Council and split its functions between the Town Council and then Waveney District Council.  Under these changes, Town and Parish Councils (collectively referred to as local councils) have the same powers.

The last Chairman of the Town Council was David Jermy in 1996. From 1997 whoever is elected by the Town Council to lead it for the year also assumes the title of Bungay Town Mayor. The first elected Mayor was Bungay Madeleine Parr.

Currently Bungay Town Council has 15 elected Members (also called Councillors) all of whom are elected on a 4 year cycle. If a vacancy occurs between the fixed election dates, it is filled either by a by-election if the required number of electors request one, or co-option, if this is not the case. In both cases the new Member will serve for the balance of the 4 year term.

A Town Councillor dedicates his/her time voluntarily and this commitment must not be under-estimated.  All Councillors are expected to obide by their Council's Code of Conduct.  Codes of Conduct are adopted by individual Councils, but they are all based on the Nolan Committee's seven principles of public life, as follows:

1.  SELFLESSNESS
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2.  INTEGRITY
Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3.  OBJECTIVITY
Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. ACCOUNTABILITY
Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5.  OPENNESS
Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6.  HONESTY
Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. LEADERSHIP
Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life/the-7-principles-of-public-life--2