The parish system was established between the 8th and 12th centuries in England.
Parish councils form the lowest tier of local government in England, but they play a vital role in the area they administer.
Usually centred in a small village or town, they are the first port of call for many in the community – but what exactly does a parish council do?
A parish council is a local authority that makes decisions on behalf of people in the parish. They are the lowest tier of local government, falling under district and county councils and are governed by a chairman or mayor.
A parish can range in size from a sparsely populated rural area with fewer than a hundred inhabitants, to a large town with a population in tens of thousands.
Management of local facilities such as parks, playgrounds, allotments and cemeteries as well as buildings for the community such as village halls fall under the parish council’s responsibilities. These responsibilities will, of course, vary according to the size and wealth of the parish, but however large or small a parish, the same rules and legislation apply.
A parish council must hold an annual meeting and at least three other meetings a year and every meeting is open to the public, who are encouraged to attend.
For a fuller and more detailed description of the role and duties of a parish council, and its councillors, an excellent account can be found at: Parish councils in England – Wikipedia.
Stratton Parish Council has a councillor complement of seven. Currently there are only four local people who have been elected or co-opted to serve the parish. Stratton Parish Council would like to hear from any resident (over the age of 18 and on the electoral roll) who would be interested in becoming a councillor. The current electoral term ends when the council comes up for re-election in 2024.
If you would like more information about the role of a councillor and what it entails, please contact any current member of the council – contact details are on the Stratton Parish Council’s website at www.strattondorsetpc.org.uk – or by email to strattonpc@gmail.com.
We would be very pleased to hear from you.