What is a Parish Council in England?

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In medieval times the ‘Feudal System’ that flourished had more to do with military obligations which existed among the nobility.  It all revolved around three key concepts of ‘ Lords, Vassals and Fiefs’!  William the Conqueror introduced a stricter system which incorporated oaths of loyalty to the Monarch.

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Thankfully, these days we have dispensed with the three concepts.

First formed under a Government Act in 1894, a parish council is a civil local authority of local government with variable tax raising powers and are responsible for areas known as civil parishes.  It is the level of government closest to the community with borough and county authority above it in the hierarchy.  The Parish Council is apolitical and councillors do not represent any political parties.

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The responsibilities of a parish council are varied but can cover public health, public markets, street lighting, building regulations, footpaths, cemeteries as well as providing a focus for the local community to identify concerns and projects, and endeavour to solve them locally.  On their own, parish councils have limited powers to make some decisions.  However they do have ability to negotiate with and power to influence other organisations and higher councils that do make the final decisions.  In this respect, parish councils are very powerful.

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A Parish council is responsible for managing their own budgets and are financed through the precept, which is an amount of money calculated as an estimate for the coming year and collected as part of your council tax.   Parish councils can also apply for other funding such as grants and awards for certain projects.

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Councillors are unpaid and elected to serve for four years.  If a (casual) vacancy occurs and a minimum 10 residents on the electoral roll call for an election, this would be held at a cost of circa £2,000 to the Parish.  To be considered for election you need to have occupied land or other premises for the previous 12 months or work in the parish  or live within three miles of the parish boundary. Councillors can be co-opted which requires the candidate to write a brief resume and attend a meeting for an interview.  The councillors will then take a vote and appoint the most suitable candidate.

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As well as attending monthly meetings, Upwell parish councillors will be expected to partake in sub committee groups covering local areas such as the cemetery, the war memorial, footpaths, health & safety, highways to name a few and sometimes make site visits if deemed appropriate.

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All current councillors contact details are shown on this website as well as in the Community Magazine. 

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