Your Parish Council

THE PARISH COUNCIL AND ITS COUNCILLORS

Parish Councillors are elected by the residents of the parish, under section 16 (2) of the Local Government Act 1972, every four years. A councillor may also be returned by by-election, co-option, appointment by the district council or by return after a successful election petition. All councillors are required to complete a declaration of Acceptance of Office and to provide a written undertaking that they accept the Council’s Code of Conduct, including the need to maintain an up-to-date Register of Interests. Councillors are required to behave in an ethical way and to declare an interest when necessary.

A parish council is a body corporate under section 14 (3) of the Local Government Act 1972, which means that it is an ‘it’ in law and that the decisions it takes are the responsibility of the council as a whole.

The council therefore represents and serves the whole community. The council is responsible for the services it provides. It establishes policies for action and decides how money will be raised and spent on behalf of the community. It is responsible for spending public money lawfully and achieving the best value for money. Except in certain circumstances, council meetings are open to the public. The council as a body decides whether to work in partnership with other organisations and it often serves (through representatives) on other bodies. An individual councillor (including the Chairman) cannot make a decision on behalf of the council so when working in partnership, councillors must always remember that they represent the council as a corporate body.

THE ROLE OF COUNCILLOR
A councillor’s primary role is to represent their local area and the people who live in it. Councillors provide a bridge between the community and the council. As well as being an advocate for residents and signposting them to the right people either at the local council or the principal authority, they should ensure that the community is informed about the issues that affect them.

To understand and represent local views and priorities, councillors aim to build strong relationships and encourage local people to make their views known and engage with the council. Good communication and engagement are central to being an effective councillor.

PARISH COUNCILLORS ARE EXPECTED TO:

• Respond to residents’ queries and investigate their concerns
• Communicate council decisions that affect the community
• Know their area and be aware of any problems
• Know and work with representatives of local organisations, interest groups and businesses
• Represent their community’s views at council meetings

Local councillors also collectively set the strategic direction for the council. All local councils aim to achieve their corporate vision for the area, make the best use of resources and deliver services that meet the needs of local communities. Individual councillors will contribute to the development of these strategies, bringing their experience and the views and priorities of their area to the debate.

Individual councillors work together to help the council make decisions on behalf of the local community. Councillors contribute to the work of the council by suggesting ideas, engaging in constructive debate and by responding to the needs and views of the community.

Councillors comment on proposals to ensure the best outcome and vote to enable the council to make decisions. Councillors must accept the decisions of the council as the corporate body. 

The formal part of the role is carried out by attending meetings and working with and listening to advice from the council’s officers. Councillors also contribute individually to policy areas (see list below) and can act as ‘champions’ on issues - it is perfectly acceptable, if a councillor happens to have experience in a particular field, that they take a lead on it, provided that has been agreed by the full council. However, full council remains the sovereign body for setting the council’s overarching strategy and budget.

Individual councillors do not have, and cannot be given, powers to make decisions on behalf of the local council.

The less formal part of the role - listening and talking to people, including the local elected members of the district, county or unitary council - will almost certainly take up more of the councillor’s time.

INDIVIDUAL POLICY AREAS