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 must be notified of, and display for residents, any planning applications for the area. Any comments submitted to the planning authority by the parish council must be taken into account
    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