The Bradley Stoke Journal

Bradley Stoke’s Town Clerk David Chandler, the man who started the Town Council out of boxes in the front room of his parents’ room in Filton, retired today after nearly 18 years in the role.

Mr Chandler’s period in office has seen the Council’s budget increase from £100,000 p.a. to almost £1 million and some £4.5 million worth of community facilities opened in the town.

Commenting on the development of the Town over the years in the latest Council newsletter,  Mr Chandler wrote:

“Seeing the community develop and thrive has been very rewarding – there have been some quite special personal moments over the last 18 years.”

Formerly chief executive to the Incorporated Society of Musicians in London, Mr Chandler plans to devote much of his time in retirement to his music and also hopes to travel more often with his wife Karen.

Cllr Mark Forsyth, Town Mayor, said that Mr Chandler left with the best wishes of all councillors and staff, commenting:

“David has served the Council and the community with distinction, dedication and good humour.”

Mr Chandler started his last day with a studio interview at BBC Radio Bristol, in which recalled memorable moments from his time in office. Asked how he planned to spend his retirement, he replied:

“Music will take over now … I’m an organist and will be very active in that sphere.”

The search for a successor to Mr Chandler began in earnest in July last year, when the vacancy was first advertised on the website of the Society of Local Council Clerks. The first round of interviews failed to produce a suitable candidate, but further advertising and interviews eventually led to Sharon Petela, 48, of Marshfield (South Gloucestershire) being awarded the job.

Ms Petela is a qualified nurse and Nursing Home Deputy Matron and held the post of part time clerk to Marshfield Parish Council for the last 14 years.

Her first Full Council meeting will be on Wednesday 20th January, when a formal presentation will also be made to Mr Chandler. Members of the public are, as ever, welcome to attend.

Photo shows L to R: retiring Town Clerk David Chandler, Chair of BSTC Councillor Mark Forsyth and incoming Town Clerk Sharon Petela.

Bradley Stoke Town Council appears to be struggling to find a replacement for Town Clerk David Chandler (pictured left), who is due to retire in January 2010.

The Council began advertising its Town Clerk vacancy in early July, through the website of the Society of Local Council Clerks, and Councillors were told later that month that “interest shown was well into double figures”.

But recently published minutes of the September meeting of Full Council reveal that a suitable candidate is yet to be found.

The meeting, discussing the matter in closed session, was told by Mayor Mark Forsyth that “it had been decided not to appoint from those who had applied”.

The minutes do not disclose how the Council intends to progress the matter although they do reveal that the practice of linking the salaries of the Deputy Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer to that of the Town Clerk is to be ended.

Bradley Stoke Town Council has begun advertising for a new Town Clerk to replace the present incumbent, David Chandler, who retires in January 2010.

Mr Chandler has been the Clerk since the Council was formed in 1992. At that time, Bradley Stoke had only a few thousand residents and he ran operations from the front room of his home.

An office was established at The Courtyard, Woodlands, in 1993 and this has since grown in size to occupy two units in the premises.

During his 17 years in office, Mr Chandler has presided over a number of major developments in the town, including the building of the Jubilee Centre and the redevelopment of Baileys Court Activity Centre.

Arrangements for advertising the vacancy were discussed at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council on 24th June and an advert for the job has duly appeared on the website of the Society of Local Council Clerks.

Remuneration will be at the LC3 level of the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services pay scale, which begins at £32,475 p.a. (2008 rates).

The closing date for application is given as 31st July 2009.

Related Links: Jobs in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)