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THE
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARISH COUNCILLOR These notes are intended to assist
your understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Parish Councillor, and
to help you decide if this is a role you want to commit yourself to.
If you have any questions you want to ask before committing yourself, why
not have a word with your Parish Clerk or contact the Association to discuss
your issues in confidence. Becoming a Councillor Parish and Town Councillors (there
is no material difference between Town and Parish
its just in the name)
are either elected or co-opted, with elections occurring every 4 years and
organised by the relevant District Authority. To be eligible, you must be at least 21 year old and either: ·
be on the electoral register for the parish; or ·
live within 3 miles of the parish boundary; or ·
have your principle place of work within the parish; or ·
occupy property or land within the parish. You do not have to be a member of
a political party, and most Parish and Town Councils are non-political bodies. Working for the Community
as a Councillor The amount of work involved
depends on the level of activity of the Council you are joining or how much
you want to affect the community in which you live. Most Councils meet monthly, some bi-monthly, with meetings
taking place on weekday evenings. For
specific details on the Council you wish to join, contact the Clerk to the
Council details will be available on the Parish Noticeboard, or link here to
the Cheshire
County Council website for contact details throughout Cheshire. Parish and Town Councillors must
act within the law and must sign a declaration to the effect that they agree to
abide by the Code of Conduct. Although
the rules and regulations are important, the role of the Councillor is much
wider than that. They are the voice
for their local community and can work to influence the decisions of the other
tiers of local Government in Cheshire and other bodies that influence community
life. Parish and Town Councils can run
play areas; look after rights of way; provide seats and shelters; publish
newsletters; support rural transport initiatives; provide allotments; give
grants to local groups; comment on Planning Applications within the Parish
to name but a few of the issues they can deal with. Support For information of what training
and further information is available for Town and Parish Councillors in Cheshire
review the web pages on this site or contact the Cheshire
Association of Town and Parish Councils.
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