Town Council Opening Hours:
Tues: 10am - 12 noon
Mon, Wed, & Thurs: 10am - 12 noon & 1 - 3pm
The following information is provided by the Cumbria Association of Local Councils, whose website for more information is: www.calc.org.uk [1]
Powers & Duties of Local Councils [2]
What is a Town or Parish Council?
It is a statutory local authority set up under the Local Government Act 1972. It operates in the area of a defined civil parish or group of parishes. In Cumbria there are three types of local authority - the County Council, the District or Borough Councils and the Town or Parish Councils. A Town Council has exactly the same powers as Parish Council - it is simply that the council has decided to take on the title 'town' as more appropriate. (In the following paragraphs references to a parish council apply to a town council as well).
Who is on the council?
The council is made up of councillors elected by the electors of the parish. Every year the council elects one of them to be the Chairman of the council (called the Mayor of a Town Council). The council has a paid officer who organises meetings and helps to carry out the council's decisions - this officer is usually called the Clerk. The Clerk does not vote or make decisions; that is the role of the councillors.
What powers do Parish Councils have?
They have a wide range of powers (Powers and Duties) which essentially relate to local matters, such as looking after community buildings, open space, allotments, play areas, street lighting, bus shelters, car parks and much more. They also have the power to raise money through the council tax.
To whom are they accountable?
The electors of the parish. Elections to parish councils are held every four years. The council's accounts are subject to scrutiny by the District Auditor and the Standards Board for England can investigate alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct by individual councillors.
Can I attend meetings of the council?
Yes, all meetings of the council and its committees must be open to the general public and the press, except in very exceptional circumstances. The time and place of meetings must be advertised beforehand - usually on the parish noticeboard. The Clerk will be able to give you details of forthcoming meetings.
Can I speak at the meeting?
You cannot speak while the normal business of the meeting is being conducted. However, it is good practice (which nearly all councils follow) to allow some time at the meeting when members of the public may address the council on an issue that concerns them. The Clerk will provide you with details about how this works in your council.
Can I see the minutes of council meetings and other papers?
The council minutes are held by the council's Clerk and are available for public inspection. It is best to make arrangements in advance to see them. Other papers, as listed in the council's Publication Scheme, are also available for inspection, usually by appointment with the Clerk.
How do I find out who the councillors are?
From the Clerk. There is often a list on the parish noticeboard.
How do people get elected to the council?
Elections are held every four years and will usually coincide with a District Council election. The Clerk will tell you when the next election will be held in your parish. A Public Notice of a forthcoming election will be placed on noticeboards.
Sometimes the number of people who put their names forward for election equals or is less than the number of seats on the council. In these circumstances there is not a poll on election day and the people nominated are deemed elected. If the number deemed elected is less than the number of seats on the council, then the council is required to co-opt people onto the council to fill the vacancies.
If a seat on the council becomes vacant between normal elections then a special procedure has to be followed which can lead to an election or, more usually, the co-option of a new councillor. It is good practice for a council to advertise widely in the parish if it is seeking to make a co-option.
Do councillors have to declare any financial or other personal interests they have in a matter under discussion by the council?
Yes. All councillors have to abide by a Code of Conduct which sets out which interests have to be declared. They also have to enter relevant financial and other interests in a special Register that is open to inspection by members of the public. The council's Clerk has a copy of the Code of Conduct and the Register or it can be inspected at the District Council's offices.
What powers do Parish Councils have with respect to planning applications?
Parish Councils are consulted by the relevant Planning Authority (which could be either the District/Borough Council, the National Park Authority or the County Council) on all planning applications. Any views expressed by the Parish Council will be taken into account by the Planning Authority before a decision is made, providing the points made are relevant to the determination of a planning application. The final decision is made by the Planning Authority, not the Parish Council.