Pocklington - Governance

Governance

Pocklington is twinned with:

• Le Pays de Racan, France (Official)
• Trendelburg, Germany (unofficial)

The Pays de Racan twinning has brought about, amongst other activities, reciprocal rugby match trips.

Pocklington Town Council is responsible for the cemetery, allotments, the Croft play-park and the Arts Centre within Pocklington. It consists of thirteen elected councillors who meet regularly to administer the town's services.

The town's motto is "Service with Freedom". Its shield is based on the arms of the Dolman family, founders of Pocklington School and was granted to the town council in 1980. The crown at the base of the shield is the emblem of the saints, along with the gold cross, symbolises the town's historic connection with Paulinus and the Archbishop of York. The wheat sheaves note Pocklington's agricultural importance and the water lily the famous lily lakes at Burnby Hall Gardens.

The town council has a policy of naming all new streets using the surnames of the war dead of Pocklington and neighbouring Barmby Moor village - this gives rise to such names as Strother Close, Waite Close, Garrick Drive, Turnbull Close and Harper Close, which would seem unusual to the casual visitor. There is some slight controversy surrounding this move, with fears with earlier historic names are being erased.

In the last five years several action groups have been formed to address local issues:

• Pocklington Broadband Campaign - aim to bring broadband internet to Pocklington (status: achieved, 2004)
• Action Access A1079 - aim to improve A1079 road, long-term goal for dual carriageway (status: in progress)
• Minsters' Rail Campaign - aim to return railway to Pocklington (status: issue adopted by East Riding Council)
• Pocklington Space for Dogs - aim is to improve dog walking and sanitary facilities in and around Pocklington. The group was formed by Sharon and Bess Clark in 2008 and has successfully lobbied the council for the installation of waste-collection sites in the local area.