Parish Council

The Parish is allowed a maximum of just five councillors due to the limited number of people on the electoral role. These councillors serve for a period of four years before being re-elected or replaced. All councillors on being elected or re-elected must make a declaration of acceptance of office and agree to duly and faithfully fulfil the duties of the council to the best of their judgement and abilities.

Parish Council meetings take place about 4 times a year, with dates published in advance in the village newsletter. These meetings can be attended by members of the general public, although the Public are only entitled to speak at the Annual Parish Meeting which is held annually between the 1^st of March and the 1^st of June.

It is a non-political body, to be consulted by the Borough Council on local matters. It is answerable chiefly to the Annual  Parish Meeting ,to which it must report every year and must act with tacit approval of that meeting. The Parish Council has powers to regulate open spaces, provide recreation facilities, manage footpaths etc. and has the right to be consulted on planning matters. The recommendation or rejection of planning applications forms one of the most important duties undertaken by the council.

The Clerk to the Council is also the treasurer of the limited funds, and acts as the proper officer of the council. The  appointment is not fixed term. The Clerk, as the proper officer, is responsible for retaining certain documents, including minutes. These are always available for inspection by local government electors and others.

The Parish Council could raise a local precept, but the £500 received annually from the Borough Council is adequate to cover current requirements, particularly as most village and parish works are done by volunteers, and no one wishes to pay more council tax! Its ability to spend money on non-statutory objectives “in the interests of the community” is in any event strictly limited. It is unlikely therefore to spend money on “campaigns “ or charitable works or public art, but subsidy of the local News Magazine is allowable at a modest level. Grants to local organizations such as the Women’s Institute are also permitted.

Over the past years the Parish Council has helped with:

• Enabling provision of 8 bungalows at Southrope Green
• Enabling provision of 6 affordable houses at Hockleys Lane
• The organization of the AnnualVillage clean up campaign
• Promoting the Village Centre Plan, currently with Government planners and which includes a new sports centre,pedestrian way, tennis courts, and achildrens play area.
• Encouraging and lobbying for provision of traffic calming devices for parts of the village
• In conjunction with other village associations organizing events like Village drinks and the Annual Fete.

If you want more information about what we do or how the Parish Council may be able to help please contact any member of the Council.   

top of page