|
Function
The
local council acts within the framework of legislation conferred
on it by Parliament. The role of a Parish Council may briefly be
described as follows :
- Executive
- As an executive body, the Parish Council has many statutory
functions and, as the elected body of the parish, it has powers
of decision.
- Representation
- The Parish Council often voices the views of its inhabitants
on many issues. For example it makes respresentation on planning
applications.
- Consultation
- Several bodies including the District council consult with
the Parish Council to gather local opinion and concerns. For
example when a Local Plan is being drafted the Parish Council
will be asked to consider it's impact on the Parish.
- Promotional
- The Parish Council is often the body required to take a lead
on issues affecting the interests of its area. This is seen-as
a natural role, as a local council may be the only body with
initial access to information and with the resources and capability
to act. There is often an overlap between the representative,
consultative and promotional roles of a local council.
Some
of the stautory functions include providing and maintaining recreational
areas within the Parish, bus shelters, footpath maintenance, and
public notifications e.g. planning applications. The Parish Council
is also the 'first port of call' for many residents enquiring about
public services and the Parish Council endeavours to answer these
queries as efficiently as possible. As a local government body the
Parish Council deals with local issues and concerns through its
principal powers and duties.
|
