Local councils are the first tier of governance and are the first point of contact for anyone concerned with a community issue. They are democratically elected local authorities and exist in England, Wales and Scotland. The term ‘local council’ is synonymous with ‘parish council’, ‘town council’ and ‘community council’.
For more information on what falls under the remit of a parish council please see http://www.localgov.co.uk/Parish-council-responsibilities/29135
The following is a summary of what is directly in the remit of the Kirtling and Upend parish council:
- Village Hall
- Drainage – of ditches and ponds
- Grass cutting of public areas
- 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 – the parish council may accept charitable gifts that are declared. No individual Parish Councillor can accept any gift or benefit financially from any decision taken whilst a member of the council
- 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
- 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
- Recreation – provision of playing field
- Rights of Way – footpath and bridleway maintenance
- Seats (public)
- Signs – danger signs, place names and bus stops signs
- War Memorials