About Parish Councils

A little bit of history...

Parish Councils were first formed in 1894 by an Act of Parliament.

Prior to that all local matters were dealt with by the Church.  The initial problem was the literacy of the local Parishes. The leaders in the Villages were the Squires (because of their wealth), and the Parson. Even though this act was passed it took 60 years for councils to emerge as an effective level of local Government.

Parish Councils today...

Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected annually. There has to be a quorum to pass resolutions, i.e. minimum of three or one third of the Council.

Councillors are elected for a 4 year term. If a vacancy occurs during this term, it can be filled by either an election or by co-option.

What is the role of a Parish Council?

The Parish Council is a unit of local government in Great Britain and has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council’s operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic.

The Parish Council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, such as the village hall or Community Centre, playing fields and playgrounds, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also of interest to the council.