A guide to becoming a Parish Councillor
A parish councillor can make a particularly important contribution to tourism; planning; legal proceedings; licensing; community halls; representation; transport; management of town and village centres and providing community centres.Parish Councils have few restrictions on the use of their powers but expenditure does have to be paid by the parish. As Parish Councils do not face ‘capping’ or receive any government grants they have much more freedom than principal councils from government interference on their spending.
The Parish also has a reasonable amount of power. A prime example of this is in planning applications. The planning authority is the District or Borough Council, but they often give details of every planning application within the parish to the Parish Council and will take into account the councillors’ comments when coming to a decision. Similarly the County Council is often the highway authority, but it often consults the Parish when it is considering any road scheme, for example the placing of double yellow lines, or implementation of a cycle path. Parish Councils are also consulted by both Central Government and the higher tier council(s) through consultative documents and draft policy documents. Their powers to work with other councils have been increased under the Local Governments Acts of 1997 and 2000.
Your role as a Parish Councillor
To represent the ward and your electorate’s views at grassroots level.
To ensure that council business is planned, run, improved and monitored correctly.
To work in areas of community leadership.
What to expect once you have been elected
Term of office
The term of office is four years unless you were elected at a by election where you serve until the next scheduled election.
Code of Conduct
Prior to, or at the first meeting of the council after election or cooption, councillors are requested to sign a Declaration that they will undertake their duties in accordance with the law. They are also required to complete forms relating to the Code of Conduct which requires a declaration of interests.
When completed and countersigned these documents are open for inspection by any member of the public and must be available at every meeting of the Parish Council.
Time Commitment
Meeting are held bi-monthly and you will be expected to work in and for your local community. Parish and Town Councils usually meet in the evenings and each council will have its own meeting pattern and venues. It is worth checking this with your local council to ensure you will be able to attend these meetings. You may also be approached by villagers asking you to help them with their problems, especially in things like planning matters. This role can be extremely rewarding and there is great satisfaction to be gained in serving your community at grassroots level.
Conclusion
Being a Parish councillor brings no special privileges other than the satisfaction of working for the Parish in which you live. Becoming a local councillor is career enhancing it shows you can make decisions, work in a team, are community minded and pro-active.