NEWS, NOTICES AND EVENTS
We have a Vacancy, could you be the
right candidate?
Here is what you need to know...
What is a Parish Council?
A parish council is a local authority that makes decisions on behalf of the people in the parish. It is the level government closest to the community, with the district authority (Stroud District Council) above it in the hierarchy.
As it is the authority closest to the people, parish councils are invariably the first place people will go with concerns or ideas. For this reason they are a vital part of any community.
Why become a Parish Councillor?
By becoming a parish councillor you become someone your community will look to for help, guidance and support. You will be a community leader with the power to influence decisions for the benefit of the people you serve. Seeing your community change for the better, as a result of decisions you have helped make, is something that can give you a sense of achievement and pride.
What decisions do Parish Councils make?
Parish councils make all kinds of decisions on issues that affect the local community. Probably the most common topics that parish councils get involved with are planning matters (they are statutory consultees), crime prevention, managing open spaces and campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities.
It’s true to say that on their own, parish councils have limited powers to make decisions. However, they do have the ability to negotiate with, and the power to influence, those other organisations that do make the final decisions (such as the district council, health authorities, police etc).
In this respect parish councils are extremely powerful. The organisations that make the final decisions know that a parish council gives the best reflection of how a community feels about something, and its views will be taken seriously.
What powers do parish councils have?
They have a wide range of powers which essentially related to local matters, such as looking after community buildings, open space, allotments, play areas, street lighting, bus shelters, car parks and much more. The council also has the power to raise money through taxation, the precept. The precept is the parish council’s share of the council tax. The precept demand goes to the billing authority, the district council, which collects the tax for the parish council.
Parish Duties
North Nibley Parish Council currently has 6 Councillors. The duties and functions of a parish council are many and varied.
The Council meets monthly and considers planning applications and any other matters referred to it by local residents. SDC and by central government. All meetings are open to the public and there is a forum before the start of the meeting at which members of the public can raise concerns and ask questions. There is also an annual meeting which all parishioners are invited to attend. All meetings are advertised on the council notice boards, our Website and more recently, our Facebook page. Residents can bring to the attention of the parish council anything that concerns them, either directly or through the clerk. If matters raised are not the responsibility of the council, the clerk can bring them to the attention of the proper authority.
How much time does it take up?
Our Councils meets once a month for the council meeting, to which members of the public are also invited. Meetings last no more than two hours. In addition to the monthly meetings, councillors are required to attend other meeting representing the council. For example, acting as a representative on an outside body, community activities or helping develop a new project for the community. Such meetings won’t happen every day, so it’s not going to take over your life.
How long does a parish councillor serve for?
Once elected, parish councillors sit on the council for a maximum of four years. If they then want to stay in the post they can stand for re-election.
Are you eligible to be a Parish Councillor?
To stand for election on a parish council, you must:
- be a UK or commonwealth citizen, or;
- be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or;
- be a citizen of another Member state of the European Union;
- be a least 18 years old.
To be eligible to stand for an election for a particular parish, you must:
- be an elector of the parish, or;
- for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish, or;
- during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work), or;
- for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary.
You don’t have to be connected to a political party.
If you do become a parish councillor you will have to sign up to the Code of Conduct.
Don’t take our word for it!
The best way to find out what it’s like to be a parish councillor is to talk to someone who’s doing it now. Come along to a parish council meeting, or speak to one of our councillors and find out what they think of the job.
Road Closure
The B4060 will be closed at Stancombe where temporary traffic lights have been in use for several weeks.
The road will be closed from 20th July to 7th August to allow for repairs to a retaining wall and bridge.
Please note that emergency access cannot be maintained through the closure.
If you should require further information please contact Gloucestershire Highways on Highways@gloucestershire.gov.uk .
Temporary Revision to Standing Orders
The Government has required Council Meetings are not held during the period of the shutdown. However, the Council is still required to conduct its essential business during this period. Until further notice Council Meetings will conducted through the Zoom system.
All NNPC meetings are cancelled until further notice
Following advice from Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils (GAPTC), National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) to STOP holding any physical meetings or gatherings during this time.
VACANCY
The Parish Council currently has a vacancy for a Councillor for the
period to May 2021. The offical announcement can be found here.
Annual Village Clean Up Day
The 2021 clean up day will be in March. Details will be published nearer the time.
Council meetings 2020
Dates for all the 2020 council meetings are now uploaded to this site. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month.
Annual Parish Meeting
The 2020 Meeting was cancelled. The next Annual Parish Meeting will be in April 2021, date to be announced.
Grant Applications
Thank you to those applying for the 2020 round of grant applications. Those awarded grants for 2020 have now received their cheques.
2020 Grant application form
More information will be made available in January 2021.