Parish councillor role description
Further information
Description of the role
|
Role |
Parish Councillor |
|
Responsible to |
All people resident within the Parish |
|
Regular liaison with |
Other councillors, local authorities, residents |
|
Period of service |
Four years with possible extension. |
|
Salary |
This is a voluntary position with some expenses able to be paid in certain cases. |
Main purpose
Representing the views of all residents within your parish.
Secondary purpose
- As part of a local council you will have responsibility for running local services which may include: open spaces, play areas, village halls, community car schemes and potentially much more.
- Deciding on how much to raise through the council tax in order to deliver your council’s services.
- Influencing and shaping the long term development policy for the parish, and as part of the planning process, comment on planning applications in the parish.
- Improve the quality of life and the environment in their local area.
- Working to identify issues which are important to the lives of the residents you represent.
- Working to bring about improvements through local projects, lobbying other service providers and working in partnership with other parishes and agencies.
History of parish councils
Parish councils have their origins in medieval times, in an era when money was seldom used and when few people lived in the countryside. Communities came together in order to organise land management, agriculture and settle disputes.
The current system of parish councils was formed in 1896. There are currently around 10,000 parish councils in the country.
Any community can ask to have a parish council and, in fact, many new parishes have been formed in recent years -particularly in urban areas.
Local councils have evolved considerably over the last 1000 or so years, but one thing remains the same: they are the tier of local government which is closest to individual communities and therefore have the greatest potential for identifying, understanding and addressing the needs of the communities they serve.
While some larger councils are run along party political lines, there is no expectation that you have to join a political party. The vast majority of parish councils are not split by party politics.
Persons specification
| Criteria | Essential | Desirable |
|---|---|---|
|
Over 21 and on the electoral register |
Y |
|
|
A resident of the parish for which you are standing (although there are certain exceptions) |
Y |
|
|
Able to attend regular evening meetings |
Y |
|
|
Interest in local issues and things which affect people. |
Y |
|
|
Keen to improve the local environment and quality of life. |
Y | |
|
An understanding and willingness to represent the views of the whole community. |
Y |
|
|
An interest in learning and developing your role in the community |
Y |
Support and training
Training and advice for parish councillors is provided by the Norfolk County Association of Parish and Town Councils (NCAPTC). The district councils, County Council and Norfolk Rural Community Council provide training, advice and support on particular issues relating to working with the community.
How to find out more
Contact the Norfolk County Association of Parish and Town Council (NCAPTC) on 01603 664869 or email ncaptc@btclick.com, who will be able to put you in touch with somebody locally.
The National Association of Local Councils has a comprehensive website [external link], or you could visit a parish or town council meeting andtalk to existing councillors or a clerk. Find details of your parish clerk from our Parish information pages.
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Democratic Services |
|---|---|
| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | democracy@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01508 533682 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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