Vacancy for a Parish Councillor

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 of government closest to the community, with the county and borough authority above it in the hierarchy.

As the authority closest to the people, we are invariably the first port of call people go to with their concerns or ideas.

For this reason, we are a vital part of any community.

Why become a Parish Councillor?

If you’ve never been to a parish council meeting before, you may be forgiven for thinking that parish councillors are a group of (probably older) people who meet now and then in a draughty village hall.

If, however, you live in a community when something ‘big’ has or is about to happen, you’ll know that’s when people in the community need support and guidance and it’s the parish council that you often turn to.

As a parish councillor, you become someone your community will look to for help, guidance and support, 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 will give you a sense of achievement and pride.

What decisions do Parish Councils make?

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.

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 and, in this respect, parish councils can be 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 our views are taken seriously.

Parish Duties

Vernham Dean Parish Council is made up of 8 Councillors.

The duties and functions of a parish council are many and varied so it is an interesting position to hold.

We meet once every 2 months, on the second Monday of the month, starting in January, and meetings may last up to a maximum of two hours, depending upon the items on the agenda to be discussed.

We discuss and decide upon planning applications and any other matters highlighted by local residents.

There is also an annual parish meeting which all parishioners are invited to.

All meetings are advertised on the website and social media (Facebook page), but the clerk can provide all necessary information if you’re not on the internet.

Residents can bring matters to the attention of the parish council, either directly or through the clerk.

If matters raised are not the responsibility of the council, the clerk can signpost them to the proper authority.

How much time does it take up?

In addition to the regular meetings, some councillors have specific duties (portfolios) requiring them to attend other meetings to represent the council, e.g. acting as a representative on an outside body, or helping develop a new project for the community.

Such meetings don’t happen often, 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 term of four years.

If they then want to stay in the post they can stand for re-election.

Councillors can also be co-opted.

This requires the prospective candidate to write a brief resumé and attend a parish meeting for a short informal chat followed by a vote to appoint the most suitable candidate.

Am I eligible to be a Parish Councillor?

To be able to become a councillor for Vernham Dean Parish Council, 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.
• be a least 18 years old.

Don’t just 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.

Or now you’re here on our website, take a look at some of the information to get an idea of what decisions are made.

Contact the clerk for more information: clerk@vernhamdean-pc.gov.uk