BOLNEY PARISH COUNCIL

All parishioners are invited our

“OPEN DOOR SESSIONS”

at the Rawson Cottage

 10.00 am ~ last Friday each Month

BOLNEY PARISH COUNCIL

The responsibilities of the Parish Council

and the role of the Parish Councillor

English Counties are divided into areas known as parishes, which in most areas are served by Parish and Town Councils.

These are collectively known as Local Councils, and are elected units of local government whose activities are controlled by Acts of Parliament. There are around 10,000 Local Councils in England.

In terms of structure and hierarchy, Local Councils are the first and closest tier of local government to the people. County, Unitary and District/Borough Councils are known as principal authorities, and provide services such as education, planning and refuse collection on a wider scale, whereas Parish & Town Councils serve smaller areas and are responsible for more local matters and community needs including:

                ● Street lighting                                                                                   ● Rights of way

                ● Local transport and traffic services                                                  ● Leisure amenities

                ● Allotments                                                                                        ● Cemeteries  

                ● Recreation grounds                                                                           ● War memorials

                ● Seating and shelters                                                                          ● Sports provision

                ● Community Safety                                                                             ● Affordable housing

                ● Tourist information centres                                                               ● Litter and Dog Bins

There are approximately 2500 Councillors serving the 350 Parishes in Surrey and Sussex. Parish and Town Councillors (There is no material difference between the two...it’s just in the name) are elected or co-opted, with elections occurring every 4 years. To be eligible you must be at least 21 years of age and either:

● be on the electoral register for the parish; or                           ● live within 3 miles of the parish boundary; or

● have your principle place of work within the parish; or        ● occupy property or land within the parish

You do not have to be a member of a political party, and most Parish and town councils are non political bodies.

WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A COUNCILLOR

The amount of work involved depends on the level of activity of the council and how much you want to affect the community in which you live. Most councils meet monthly or bi-monthly (Bolney PC meets each third Tuesday of the month in the Rawson Hall) Councillors must act within the law and abide by an agreed code of conduct. Although the rules and regulations are important, the role of the councillor is much wider than that. They are the voice for their local community and can work to influence other tiers of local Government in West Sussex and other bodies that influence community life. Councillors should be able to look back on a range of achievements that had their basis in a plan for the Parish or Town.

Examples might be:

 ● The funding of improvements to community facilities.                  ●  Road safety and reducing the fear of crime.

 ● Being represented at a local planning inquiry.                                ●   Improving street lighting.

 ●  Identifying land for affordable housing.                                          ●  Campaigning successfully for a better environment.

 ● Youth development schemes and recreation.                                   ●  Improving  local  transport schemes.

HELP BOLNEY PARISH COUNCIL TO HELP YOU.

WE AIM TO;

● Work to identify issues which are important to the lives and well being of the residents we represent.

● Improve the quality of life and the environment in the local area.

● Work to bring about improvements through local projects.

● Lobbying other service providers and working in partnership with other parishes and agencies.

● Influencing and shaping the long term policy for the Parish of Bolney.

PUT SIMPLY; PLEASE SUPPORT BOLNEY PARISH COUNCIL AND