The Role of a Parish Council

A parish council is the lowest tier of local government.


Parish councils are elected corporate bodies, with variable tax raising powers, and they carry out beneficial public activities in geographical areas known as civil parishes.

Parish councils receive the majority of their funding by levying a precept upon the council tax paid by the residents of the parish (or parishes) covered by the council. Other funding may be obtained by local fund-raising or grants for specific activities. They can vary enormously in size, activities and circumstances; representing populations ranging from fewer than 100 (small rural hamlets) to up to 130,000 .  Most of them are small: around 80% represent populations of less than 2,500; Parish councils are made up of unpaid councillors who are elected to serve for four years.

Parish councils are generically referred to as "local councils" to distinguish them from "principal councils" (e.g. district councils, county councils, unitary authorities or London borough councils) .


Powers and Duties


A Parish Councils’ activities fall into three main categories:


- representing the local community 

- delivering services to meet local needs

- improving quality of life and community well-being.


Parish councils have the power to tax their residents to support their operations and to carry out local projects, and this is done through the council tax system. Although there is no limit to the amount that can be raised, the money can only be raised for a limited number of purposes, listed below, as defined in the Local Government Act 1894 and subsequent legislation. Compared to higher tiers of English local government, parish councils have very few statutory duties (i.e. things they are required to do by law) but have a much more extensive range of discretionary powers which they may exercise voluntarily. For this reason, there are large variations in the activities of parish councils, depending on their size, resources and abilities. 


Consultative powers

Parish councils have the statutory right to be consulted by the local district, borough, county council or unitary authority on:

  • All planning applications in their areas
  • Intention to provide a burial ground in the parish
  • Proposals to carry out sewerage works
  • Footpath and bridleway (more generally, 'rights of way') surveys
  • Intention to make byelaws in relation to hackney carriages, music and dancing, promenades, sea shore and street naming
  • The appointment of governors of primary schools

 

Miscellaneous powers

Parish councils may also exercise the following powers:

  • Sponsoring public events
  • Support of the arts and provision of entertainment
  • Encouragement of tourism
  • Providing grants to local voluntary organisations
  • Funding crime prevention measures
  • Providing grants for bus services, and funding community transport schemes
  • Contribution of money towards traffic calming schemes
  • Power to obtain water from any well, spring or stream
  • Creation of a neighbourhood plan
  • Power to acquire or dispose of land