Coleford Town Council

What Coleford Town Council does

Coleford Town Council is a statutory local government authority serving the Coleford parish in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. It operates as the lowest tier of English local government, with powers conferred by Acts of Parliament (local councils legally established in 1894) and discharges responsibilities including planning consultation, burial authority duties, community facility stewardship, environmental and climate programmes, emergency resilience coordination, and support for local economy and tourism. The council serves a resident population of approximately 10,500 distributed across three wards (Coleford Central, Coleford East, and Broadwell and Mile End) and is governed by 13 elected town councillors supported by three employed staff: the Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (Laura-Jade Schroeder), an Assistant Clerk, and an Administrative Assistant.

The council's product surface is a portfolio of community services rather than a unified commercial platform. These include the Coleford Cemetery and Natural Burial Ground (acting as burial authority), community halls (The Main Place, Broadwell War Memorial Hall, Evergreen Hall, Coalway Rec Hall), the Grade II Listed Clock Tower heritage asset, Bells Field multi-use recreation area, King George V Recreation Ground, multiple play areas, green spaces, the Robin Bus accessible transport service, the Dean and Wye Valley Tourist Information Centre, environment and climate services, the Community Resilience Plan (mobilizing volunteers in emergencies), the Coleford Welcomes Walkers tourism initiative, and the statutory Coleford Neighbourhood Development Plan. Underlying technology is a public-facing website (colefordtowncouncil.gov.uk) with accessibility tooling (screen reader, text resizing, grayscale, high contrast, negative contrast, links underline, readable font), online meeting calendars, document management, and integration with FixMyStreet (for highways reporting) and the Gloucestershire County Council planning portal. No API, SDK, app, or developer ecosystem is offered.

The council's revenue model is non-commercial: the primary funding stream is the annual council tax precept collected from residents (described as a "regular annual budget in excess of £500,000"), supplemented by grants and loans (including possible borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board for capital projects), property income from council-owned assets, and transactional fees from cemetery and burial services (burial, memorials, exclusive right of burial, plot purchases, bench pricing; published fees effective 1 January 2025). There is no subscription, license, or usage-based software revenue. Go-to-market is direct-to-resident service delivery through the council office (4 Mushet Walk, open 9:30 am-12:30 pm Monday to Friday), self-service web portal, physical community facilities, and partnerships with Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, the Environment Agency, and community organizations such as Main Place, Forest Voluntary Action Forum, and the Forest of Dean Youth Association. Customer segments are all geographic or community-defined: parish residents (primary), local businesses and traders, visitors and tourists, and vulnerable community members requiring emergency support.

Name

Coleford Town Council

Legal name

Coleford Town Council

Website

https://colefordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1894

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Coleford Town Council is a statutory parish-level local authority in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, serving approximately 10,500 residents through planning, burial, recreation, transport, and tourism services funded by council tax precept with an annual budget in excess of £500,000.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local Government / Parish Council Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

akta.pro primary industry

City Clerk/Records, Elections & Civic Engagement (BPAIACAB)

Keywords

• Local government services
• Parish council administration
• Community facility management
• Burial authority services
• Civic engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

Coleford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Precept (Council Tax): Annual sum collected through residents' council tax, which is invested back into the community to improve services and facilities. This is the primary funding source for the council's operations.
2. Grants and Loans: Council can apply for grants and loans to fund specific projects and initiatives. May also borrow money from the Public Works Loan Board for capital projects.
3. Property Income: Revenue from rents or leases on council-owned property.
4. Burial and Cemetery Fees: Fees for burial services, memorials, exclusive right of burial, and cemetery plot purchases at Coleford Cemetery and Natural Burial Ground.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Coleford Town Council is a statutory local government authority providing community governance, civic services, and facility management to approximately 10,500 residents of Coleford Parish in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. It manages community assets including the cemetery, recreation grounds, community halls, the Clock Tower, and the Tourist Information Centre, and delivers planning consultation, community resilience coordination, environmental initiatives, and grants programs. Operations are funded primarily by the council tax precept.

Product overview

Coleford Town Council operates as a local government authority serving a population of approximately 10,500 in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. The council provides a broad portfolio of community services organized as distinct facilities and programs: the Tourist Information Centre offers visitor assistance; the Cemetery and Natural Burial Ground serves as the burial authority; Community Halls and recreation areas (Bells Field, King George V Recreation Ground, multiple Play Areas) provide leisure facilities; the Clock Tower serves as a heritage landmark; the Robin Bus Service provides accessible transport; Environment Services manages green strategy and climate initiatives; the Community Resilience Plan coordinates emergency response; and the Neighbourhood Development Plan guides local planning. These services operate as independent offerings unified under the council's mission to maintain a friendly, accessible market town while conserving heritage and environment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tourist Information Centre Provides visitor information and assistance to tourists exploring the Forest of Dean and Coleford area, open Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm.
• Coleford Cemetery and Natural Burial Ground Burial authority service maintaining the traditional cemetery and natural burial ground on Victoria Road, open 24/7, with published fees for interment, exclusive right of burial, memorials, and bench pricing.
• Community Halls Management and provision of community halls including The Main Place, Broadwell War Memorial Hall, Evergreen Hall, and Coalway Rec Hall for public hire and community events.
• Clock Tower The Grade II Listed Clock Tower central to Coleford's Market Place, serving as a British Legion memorial and hosting events and seasonal decorations.
• Bells Field Recreation Area Multi-use recreation facility featuring a skate park, MUGA sports court, BMX mini track, exercise trail, pond, and walking paths, hosting community events including Queen's Jubilee celebrations.
• King George V Recreation Ground Playing fields for regular team sports including football and archery, located near the Angus Buchanan Memorial Playing Field.
• Play Areas Multiple play areas across the parish including Angus Buchanan Recreation Ground, Coalway Recreation Ground, Cyril Hart Way, Tufthorn Close, Primrose Drive, The Paddocks, Poppy Field, and various others.
• Robin Bus Service Fully accessible minibus service operating in the Forest of Dean area, bookable 2 weeks in advance up to 1 hour before travel, with fares from £2.50 for short journeys.
• Environment Services Green strategy initiatives including climate risk summaries, adaptation plans, tree planting programs, wildlife protection, recycling guidance, and environmental education.
• Community Resilience Plan Coordination of local volunteers to address community emergencies, providing welfare actions, transportation assistance, and linking residents with necessary resources during crises.
• Neighbourhood Development Plan Statutory development plan guiding land use and development in the parish, currently under review with theme groups for town centre, economy, housing, community, transport, environment, and historic environment.
• Virtual Noticeboard Online bulletin board displaying community notices, road closures, local events, volunteer opportunities, and public service announcements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Community resilience: Over 150 actions during Covid pandemic including prescription deliveries, shopping support, and dog walking
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Forest of Dean District CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForest of Dean District Council is the principal authority responsible for services including housing, planning, waste disposal, street cleaning, leisure centres, and economic development. Coleford Town Council works with FODDC on planning consultations, community resilience coordination, and local service delivery.
• Gloucestershire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGloucestershire County Council provides county-level services including education, public transport, highways, libraries, fire services, adult and children's social care, and waste disposal. Coleford Town Council coordinates with GCC on highways issues, flooding, and local government representation.
• National Walkers are Welcome NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColeford has an active walking community affiliated with the National Walkers are Welcome Network. The council supports Coleford Welcomes Walkers initiative promoting walking tourism and community health.
• Main Place and Coleford Area PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization providing services and coordination for the Coleford area, working in partnership with the Town Council on local initiatives.
• Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFVAF supports volunteering across the Forest of Dean. Coleford Town Council works with FVAF on youth hub programs, community events, and volunteer coordination.
• Gloucestershire County Council HighwayscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGCC Highways responsible for road maintenance, flood management, and roadworks in the Coleford area. Town Council coordinates with GCC for FixMyStreet reporting and road closure notifications.
• Environment AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironment Agency issues flood alerts and warnings for river, sea, and groundwater flooding. Coleford Town Council's resilience plan incorporates EA flood warning services and coordinates community preparedness.
• Forest of Dean Youth AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth association working with Coleford Town Council on youth events and activities, including skate jam events at Bells Field.
• National Flood ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity providing independent advice and support to communities at risk of flooding. Coleford Town Council's resilience planning references NFF resources for community flood preparedness.
• Dean and Wye Valley Tourist Information CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTourist Information Centre operated by Coleford Town Council providing visitor information services for the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley area. Open 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Lydney Town Council: Neighbouring town council in the Forest of Dean district of Gloucestershire, delivering an essentially identical mix of parish-level services (cemetery, recreation grounds, community halls, planning consultation, precept funding) to a comparable population base. Direct peer on geography and tier of government.
• Cinderford Town Council: Forest of Dean town council of similar size and demographic profile, operating under the same Forest of Dean District Council and Gloucestershire County Council framework. Comparable in scale, funding model, and service mix.
• Newent Town Council: Gloucestershire town council with a comparable population (~5,000-10,000), precept funding model, and parish-level service scope including recreation grounds, cemetery, and planning consultation. Directly comparable tier and operating model.
• Tetbury Town Council: Cotswolds market town council in Gloucestershire with comparable population, precept-funded model, and a similar mix of heritage, recreation, and community services. Operates the same statutory framework under different district/ county tier.
• Stonehouse Town Council: Gloucestershire town council serving a similar-sized population with comparable community facility responsibilities (cemetery, halls, recreation grounds) and a precept funding model. A directly comparable parish-tier peer within the same county.
• Nailsworth Town Council: Stroud district town council in Gloucestershire of comparable scale operating a similar parish-tier service portfolio including community halls, cemetery, and planning consultation funded through precept.
• Ross-on-Wye Town Council: Border town council of broadly similar scale in a neighbouring county (Herefordshire), operating a comparable market-town service portfolio (cemetery, halls, market, tourism) funded through precept. Closely comparable tier of government with similar market-town economy.
• Cam & Dursley Town Council: Gloucestershire town council (Stroud district) of similar scale delivering a comparable mix of cemetery, recreation, halls, and community resilience services funded through precept.
• Fairford Town Council: Cotswolds town council in Gloucestershire of broadly similar population, providing a comparable set of parish-level services (cemetery, recreation, halls, planning response) funded through council tax precept.

Broad incumbents

• Forest of Dean District Council: Principal (district-tier) authority covering Coleford and providing higher-tier services (planning, housing, waste, leisure). While not a like-for-like peer (it is the next tier up), it is the most relevant institutional counterparty that defines Coleford Town Council's operating context and partnership scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coleford-town-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Coleford Town Council