Parish Council Responsibilities
A Parish Council is the first level of government . It is the ‘grass roots’ level and therefore, some might say, the most important.
A Parish Councillor represents the people around him/her and this can directly affect the quality of life of everybody in the immediate area.
Parish Councils have a wide range of powers, much wider than many people realise as many of them are often not utilised. They can create by-laws, provide bus shelters, burial grounds, allotments, community centres, entertainments, road lighting, litter bins, parking places, roadside seats, roadside planting, public conveniences, recreational areas, play equipment, etc. They can spend money on crime prevention, contribute to traffic calming measures and encourage tourism. They may maintain rights of way, promote lotteries, and manage open spaces and recreational areas. They can obtain funding for parish plans, transport solutions and for the development of community projects.
At the same time there are many services that Parish Councils do not provide, but the PC has increasing weight in lobbying for the quality of service that local people want. The PC is continually consulted on a wide variety of subjects, but for the active Council this process must be two way. The Parish Council is the voice of the local people and it is their responsibility to make sure that voice is heard by constant lobbying and making a nuisance of themselves if necessary!
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July 2008