Sandy Town Council was formed under the 1972 Local Government Act, on 1st April 1974, as a Parish Council. In September 1974 it took the name "Sandy Town Council".

The Council consists of 15 elected Members representing 4 wards in the Town Ivel (5 members), Pinnacle (6 members), Fallowfield (3 members), Beeston (1 member). Details of these members are available from HERE.

The same 1972 Act also made provision for later changes so that parish and community boundaries could be adjusted and new Parishes created. In England Parishes can exist everywhere except in Greater London. Not all parishes however have a Town or a Parish Council.

Elections to the Town Council are held every 4 years – the last in May 2007. Any vacancies that occur during the four years, known as 'casual vacancies', are filled by another election or by co-option.

The full Town Council meets every six weeks on a Monday evening with the Finance and General Purposes and Planning, Parks and Open Spaces Committee meetings being interspersed between. All meetings are at 7.30pm at 10 Cambridge Road, Sandy and are open to the public.

The responsibilities of the major Committees of the Council are:-

FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

Whose responsibilities include:

(a) To receive Declarations of Interests from Members.
(b) To control the collection of revenue and expenditure to and from the Council.
(c) To deal with the provision of services to members, conferences, hospitality, public relations etc., including Town Guide, Annual Bulletin and Ceremonial and Civic matters.
(d) To be responsible for the allocation of equipment etc to and the management of Council Office accommodation.
(e) To deal with all matters concerning deeds, leases etc, and the Council's Terrier of Property and Register of Leases.
(f) To be responsible for the development of new technological applications.
(g) To receive and consider all tenders, quotations and make recommendations regarding the entering into of contracts for goods or services on behalf of the Council.
(h) To consider any Planning Applications available at the time of the meeting of the committee.
(i) Consideration and Recommendation of Annual Estimates.
(j) The determination of arrangements for the management of finances including Capital Funds, banking, insurance and investment.
(k) To receive Auditors Reports and consider any matters raised therein.
(l) To recommend and make Bye Laws, Regulations etc and to be responsible for the enforcement of such Bye Laws Regulations etc.
(m) To recommend institution of legal action on behalf of the Council.
(n) To manage Council business including Standing Orders, Calendar of Meetings, appointment of representatives on outside bodies (other than those appointed by Council), and arrangements for Annual Town Meeting, including approving the Agenda, the location and the method of giving notice.

PLANNING PARKS AND OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

Whose responsibilities include:-

(a) To receive Declarations of Interests from Members.
(b) To manage and maintain all areas of Public Open Space, Bedford Road Recreation Ground, Sunderland Road Recreation Ground, The Pinnacle, Stratford Road Allotments, Stratford Road Works Depot, Faynes Corner Rose Gardens etc, including sports pitches etc.
(c) Liaison with County and District Authorities and River Ivel Drainage Board regarding footpaths, highways, street lighting, drainage and other related matters.
(d) Management of Sandy Car Park.
(e) Sandy Cemetery, Chapel and Closed Churchyard.
(f) Sandy Market.
(g) Management of Sports Pavilions.
(h) Public Conveniences.
(i) Grasscutting.
(j) Liaison with sports organisations.
(k) Bus shelters and bus stops.
(l) Liaison with public service contractors etc.
(m) Litter bins and litter.
(n) Beeston Green.
(o) Childrens' play equipment.
(p) Street naming.
(q) Consideration of planning applications.
(r) The Riddy Local Nature Reserve.
(s) The Roman Sandy Story (Display).

STAFFING COMMITTEE

Whose responsibilities include:-

(a) To receive Declarations of Interests from Members
(b) The management and control of the Council's Direct Labour Organisation and Administrative Staff
(c) To recommend the number and grades of posts to be established for carrying out the work of the Council.
(d) To settle salaries and wages and other conditions of service and to give effect to decisions, awards and recommendations of national and provincial joint negotiating bodies.
(e) To deal generally with the provision of suitable personnel to carry out the work of the Council and matters affecting their recruitment, promotion, dismissal, qualifications, training, welfare, working conditions, re-gradings and disciplinary matters.
(f) To conduct an Annual Appraisal of all staff.
(g) The management of the Seasonal Work Rosters.
(h) All Health and Safety at Work matters.
(i) Staff training.
(j) To approve, amend and update as required a Disciplinary Code for all employees of the Council.
(k) Contract of Employment matters.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Responsible for an overview of all of the Council's accountancy processes and income and expenditure controls.
Other Committees and Working Groups may be formed as and when necessary.