What is a Parish Council and why become a Parish Councillor?
What is a Parish Council?
A Parish Council is a local authority that makes decisions on behalf of the people in the parish. It is the level of government closest to the community, with the district authority (South Cambridgeshire District Council) above it in the hierarchy.
As it is the authority closest to the people, parish councils are invariably the first place people will go with concerns or ideas. For this reason, they are a vital part of any community.
There are over 8,700 parish and town councils representing around 16 million people across England.
What decisions do Parish Councils make?
Parish councils make all kinds of decisions on issues that affect the local community. Probably the most common topics that parish councils get involved with are planning matters (as statutory consultees only though – not decision making – see below), crime prevention, managing open spaces and campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities.
It’s true to say that on their own, parish councils have limited powers to make decisions. But they do have the ability to negotiate with, and the power to influence, those other organisations that do make the final decisions (such as the district and county councils, health authorities, police etc).
In this respect parish councils are extremely powerful. The organisations that make the final decisions know that a parish council gives the best reflection of how a community feels about something, and its views will be taken seriously.
What powers do parish councils have?
They have a wide range of powers which are essentially related to local matters, such as looking after community buildings, open space, play areas, street lighting, bus shelters, car parks and much more. The council also has the power to raise money through taxation, the precept. The precept is the parish council’s share of the council tax. The precept demand goes to the billing authority (the district council), which collects the tax for the parish council. Check your annual Council Tax Statement to see how much of your money goes to the Parish.
What powers do Parish Councils have with respect to planning applications?
Parish Councils are consulted by the relevant Planning Authority on all planning applications. They are a statutory consultee. Any views expressed by the Parish Council will be taken into account by the Planning Authority before a decision is made, providing the points made are relevant to the determination of a planning application. The final decision is made by the Planning Authority, not the Parish Council.
Do councillors have to declare any financial or other personal interests they have in a matter under discussion by the council?
Yes. All councillors have to abide by a Code of Conduct which sets out which interests have to be declared. They also have to enter relevant financial and other interests in a special Register that is open to inspection by members of the public. The council’s Clerk has a copy of the Code of Conduct and the Register or it can be inspected at the District Council’s offices.
Parish Duties
Barrington Parish Council has 9 Councillors who stand for election every four years. The duties and functions of a parish council are many and varied. The Councillors also become Trustees of the Green Charity.
The Council meets monthly and considers planning applications and any other matters referred to it by local residents, the District and County councils, and by central Government. All meetings are open to the public and there is a forum before the start of the meeting at which members of the public can raise concerns and ask questions.
There is also an annual meeting which all parishioners are invited to attend. All meetings are advertised on the council notice boards and website. Residents can bring to the attention of the parish council anything that concerns them, either directly or through the Clerk. If matters raised are not the responsibility of the council, the Clerk can bring them to the attention of the proper authority.
Why become a Parish Councillor?
If you’ve never been to a parish council meeting before, you may be forgiven for thinking that Parish Councillors are a group of (probably older) people who meet now and then in a draughty village hall. If, however, you live in a community where something ‘big’ has happened, you’ll know that when people in the community need support and guidance, it is sometimes the parish council that is turned to.
By becoming a Parish Councillor you become someone your community will look to for help, guidance and support; a community leader with the power to influence decisions for the benefit of the people you serve. Seeing your community change for the better, as a result of decisions you have helped make, is something that can give you a sense of achievement and pride.
How much time does it take up?
Councils usually meet once a month for the council meeting, to which members of the public are also invited. Meetings may last two or three hours, depending on the items on the agenda which need to be discussed. Some councils have committees to deal with specific subjects, such as environmental issues. In addition to the regular meetings, Councillors are required to attend other meetings representing the council:- for example acting as a representative on an outside body, community activities or helping develop a new project for the community. Such meetings won’t happen every day, so it’s not going to take over your life.
How long does a Parish Councillor serve for?
Once elected, Parish Councillors sit on the council for a maximum of four years. If they then want to stay in the post they can stand for re-election.
Am I eligible to be a Parish Councillor?
To stand for election on a parish council, you must:
- be a UK or commonwealth citizen, or;
- be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or;
- be a citizen of another Member state of the European Union;
- be a least 18 years old.
To be eligible to stand for an election for a particular parish, you must:
- be an elector of the parish, or;
- for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish, or;
- during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work), or;
- for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary.
You don’t have to be connected to a political party.
If you do become a Parish Councillor you will have to sign up to the Code of Conduct.
Don’t take our word for it!
The best way to find out what it’s like to be a Parish Councillor is to talk to someone who’s doing it now. Come along to a parish council meeting, or speak to one of our Councillors and find out what they think of the job.