Parish Council

General

The Parish Council has nine elected Councillors who serve for a period of four years. The Council usually meets on the second Thursday of every other month to discuss a wide range of matters. Occasional ad hoc meetings may be held to discuss specific topics.

The calendar of meetings for the current year can be found here. (Link Needed)

Unless indicated otherwise members of the public are welcome to attend all the Parish Council’s meetings. Parish Council meetings are held in St Michael’s Church Hall and commence at 7.30pm. 

The Agenda for the meetings is published in advance on this website and on the Council’s notice boards. There is an allocated agenda item for people wishing to speak.

The Parish Council also hold a Saturday Surgery in The Old Surgery, in the village square, usually the second Saturday in February, June and October for Parishioners to come and discuss any issues or concerns they may have.

 

Powers of Parish Councils

Parish councils have a variety of powers and duties, all of which impact directly on the community, including: 

  • Allotments
  • Burial Grounds, Cemeteries, Churchyards and Crematoria
  • Bus Shelters
  • Bye-laws – the power to make some bye-laws
  • Clocks – public clocks can be provided and must be maintained
  • Community Centres, Conference Centres, Halls, Public Buildings
  • Drainage – of ditches and ponds
  • Entertainment and the Arts
  • General Spending – parish councils can spend a limited amount of money on anything they deem of benefit to the community that is not covered by the other specific responsibilities described in this list
  • Highways – lighting, parking places, to be consulted about new roads, road widening, diversions, traffic calming, signs and other notices, tree planting and verge maintenance
  • Land – acquisition and sale of

  • Litter – provision of litter-bins and support for any anti-litter campaigns
  • Planning – the local planning authority must notify parish councils of, and must take note of parish councils’ comments on, planning applications in the parish
  • Postal and Telecommunication Facilities
  • Public conveniences – provision and maintenance of public toilets
  • Recreation – provision of recreation grounds, public walkways, pleasure grounds, open spaces, village greens, gymnasiums, playing fields, holiday camps and boating ponds
  • Rights of Way – footpath and bridleway maintenance
  • Seats (public)
  • Signs – danger signs, place names and bus stops signs
  • Tourism – financial contributions to any local tourist organisations allowed
  • War Memorials