The Parish Council is the tier of Local Government closest to the people and is a non-political body. It is at the 'grass roots' and as such is in the best position to understand and represent the views of the local community.
The responsibilities of the Council are varied and specified by Acts of Parliament. These powers include those relating to planning, recreational facilities, community transport, some footpaths, some street lighting, litter and open spaces.
The Parish Council employs one part-time member of staff (Parish Clerk) to manage the day-to-day operations, and there are also six unpaid councillors who are elected every four years by the electors of the parish.
The councillors are governed by a mandatory code of conduct which includes obligations to act in an appropriate way.?
There are three main components to the councillors' work:
- Deciding the way money should be spent, services delivered and policies implemented
- Monitoring the efficiency and effectiveness of services
- Being involved locally both in meeting the wider community and engaging with local organisations
Parish Council meetings are usually held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall, Trampers Lane, North Boarhunt, PO17 6DD in order to discuss issues affecting the Parish and its residents.
An Open Forum session is always included to allow questions, comments and contributions from the general public and the Press are most welcome to attend.
Please note that any correspondence received by the Clerk, unless stipulated private and confidential, will be disseminated to all serving Parish Councillors and the contents, including the author's name, may be discussed openly in a public meeting.
The Annual General Meeting of the Council is held each year in May, when elections for Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
The Annual Parish Meeting is held between March and May each year and is a meeting which all electors of the parish can attend. The purpose of this meeting is to allow the Parish Council to provide parishioners with an update on its activities during the previous year. It also enables electors to speak about anything they consider important.