The Parish Council Functions
Serving the Local Community
There are certain obligations which by law a parish council must fulfill. For example:
- It must hold an annual meeting;
- It must hold at least three other meetings a year;
- It must appoint such officers as it believes necessary for the proper discharge of its functions. This must include an officer responsible for the proper administration of financial affairs;
- It must make Standing Orders for the supply of goods and services to the council.
Parish councils will wish to:
- Be consulted on planning applications and will need a close relationship and understanding with the planning office of their district/unitary council. Parish councils are encouraged to prepare parish plans in consultation with the planning office with a view to the plan being taken into account by the district council in considering planning applications and preparing the local development framework.
- Have points of contact with principal council services, such as highways, cleansing, parks, elections etc and to contribute to the way such services are provided.
- Work closely with the standards committee and monitoring officer of the principal council on ethical framework matters and the members’ code of conduct.
- Be represented, collectively with other parish councils, on the Local Strategic Partnership.
- Liaise with other stakeholders operating services within the parish council boundaries.
- Contribute to proposals which may be made to the Secretary of State under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.