2019

2018

 

2017

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