ROLE OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

The role of the Parish Council is to represent the interests of the whole community. The Parish Council is an elected body in the first tier of local government known as Local Councils. Other tiers, known as principal councils or Local Authorities, have many legal duties to deliver services such as education, housing, town and country planning, transport, environmental health and social services. Elections take place every 4 years with the next election in May 2023.

Parish Councils provide a focus for the community to identify concerns and projects, and endeavour to solve them locally themselves. Parish Councils have the legal power to take action, but they have very few duties and greater freedom to choose what action to take. They can play a vital part in representing the interests of the communities they serve and improving the quality of life and the local environment.

Parish Council decisions are the responsibility of the whole body and are made collectively and by majority. The Parish Council has been granted powers by Parliament including the authority to raise money through taxation - the precept, and a range of powers to spend public money.

The Parish Council is a corporate body, and a legal entity, separate from that of its Members, and is accountable to the local community.

The Parish Council is an employer.  The Parish Clerk Works for and with the Council to action its decisions.