Parish Councils have existed since medieval times, when they settled local disputes and were in charge of agriculture and land management. They changed over the last 1,000 years until parish councils were established by Act of Parliament in 1894 with a legal constitution set by the Local Government Act 1972.
Parish councils are non-political – when there is an election or a vacancy you can apply to become a member of the Parish Council. You must be:
- over 18 and on the electoral register or a resident of the Parish or live within three miles of the Parish as the crow flies or own a business in the Parish;
- able to attend evening meetings (eleven per year);
- interested in local issues;
- able to represent the views of local people.
The position of a Parish Councillor is unpaid and voluntary, but some expenses, such as training, are paid for by the Parish Council. For further details please contact the Parish Clerk.
Parish councils have a variety of powers and duties, all of which impact directly on the community. The main role of a Parish Councillor is to represent the views of all residents within the Parish and to listen to, and understand, the views and needs of different groups in the community.
An important role of the Parish Council is to review and comment on all planning applications in the Parish. Decisions on the applications are made by the local authority, CWAC.
The playing field, at the rear of Chapel Lane / Orchard Avenue is owned and maintained by CWAC.