What powers and duties do parish councils have?
Parish councils have a variety of powers and duties, all of which impact directly on the community.
The following are all under the remit of local councils:
· Allotments
· Burial Grounds, Cemeteries, Churchyards and Crematoria
· Bus Shelters
· Bye-laws – the power to make bye-laws concerning:baths and washhouses (swimming pools), cycle parks, mortuaries and pleasure grounds
· Clocks – public clocks can be provided and must be maintained
· Community Centres, Conference Centres, Halls, Public Buildings
· Drainage – of ditches and ponds
· Entertainment and the Arts
· Footpaths
· General Spending – parish councils can spend a limited amount of money on anything they deem of benefit to the community that is not covered by the other specific responsibilities described in this list
· Gifts – parish councils may accept gifts
· Highways – lighting, parking places, right to enter into discussions about new roads and road widening, consent of parish council required for diversion or discontinuation of highway, traffic signs and other notices, tree planting and verge maintenance
· Land – acquisition and sale of
· Legal proceedings – power to prosecute and defend any legal proceedings in the interests of the community, power to take part in any public enquiry
· Litter – provision of litter-bins and support for any anti-litter campaigns
· Planning – parish councils may be notified of any planning applications for the area
· Postal and Telecommunication Facilities – power to pay a public telecommunications operator any loss sustained in providing services in that area
· Public conveniences – provision and maintenance of public toilets
· Recreation – provision of recreation grounds, public walkways, pleasure grounds, open spaces, village greens, gymnasiums, playing fields, holiday camps and boating ponds
· Rights of Way – footpath and bridleway maintenance
· Seats (public)
· Signs – danger signs, place names and bus stops signs
· Tourism – financial contributions to any local tourist organisations allowed
· Traffic Calming
· War Memorials
· Water Supply – power to utilise stream, well or spring water and to provide facilities for general use
Terms of reference (General)
Councillors give their time, experience, and skills on a voluntary basis, working together and with the local community to make Tibberton an even better place to live.
(a) The Chair and Vice-Chair are ex-officio members of all committees and advisory working groups.
(b) The committees and advisory working groups can decide whether it is appropriate to co-opt members who are not Parish Councillors. Co-opted members are people who are chosen by the appropriate body to represent a specific area of interest or issue of consideration. Councillors and co-pted members are expected to work equally however co-opted members do not have voting rights.
(c) All committees and advisory working groups shall provide a written report with recommendations as necessary, to the Parish Council. If agreed by the Parish Council, recommendations may be referred back to the appropriate committee/advisory working group for further consideration.
(d) Committees must keep Minutes; advisory working groups will not be expected to keep separate minutes.
(e) Committees and advisory working groups do not have any delegated powers to make decisions binding on the Parish Council.
(f) Committees are public meetings; advisory working groups are not open to the public.
(g) Councillors can attend committees and advisory working groups even if they are not members.
(h) The Clerk shall service the Parish Council and committees, and relevant advisory working groups.
