Local Councils

Grass roots tier

The role of the local council as the first tier of local government is that of the local authority which is the nearest elected body to the electors, and today there is a trend for more and more decisions to be taken at a local level. As a result of this, the role of the local councillor is becoming increasingly important. The decisions taken by local authorities vitally affect the quality of life within their area, and the role of the local council is of critical concern to the community it represents. Whilst there are broad similarities between one local authority and another, each has its own way of doing things. This depends upon history, tradition, and the statutory powers and responsibilities they possess.

Different sizes

As a tier of government, local councils are elected bodies with discretionary powers and rights laid down by Parliament to represent their communities and provide services for them. Parishes vary greatly in size. The majority are very small (40% represent fewer than 500 people). In contrast, 8% of the councils (those over 5,000 in population) represent 49% of the population with a local council. Where the population of the parish is very small, there may be no parish council, but electors may still meet together as a Parish Meeting.

Roles and Powers

This is a changing landscape. A local council is a statutory local authority in its own right, having a fairly wide variety of powers conferred by many statues.

What makes up a parish council?

A parish council in England consists of such number of councillors as may be fixed from time to time, not being less than five. Where a parish has a relatively large population, or where the population is scattered over a wide area, or where one parish contains two or more sections with separate interests, it may be convenient to divide the parish into wards for the purpose of electing councillors.

Councillors

A councillor is elected not only to represent his or her constituents but also to take decisions affecting the area of the council as a whole.

He or she has many different roles including corporate decision maker, corporate employer, policy formulator, representative on external bodies, citizens advocate and corporate protector of their parish and its environment.

Clerks

While some small parishes appoint an unpaid volunteer as Clerk, most councils employ a salaried Clerk whose overall responsibility is to carry out the policy decisions of the Council.

The Clerk is the head of the council's administration and is the 'Proper Officer'. He or she is often the only employee and therefore also acts as the Responsible Financial Officer.

The Clerk ensures that the business of the council runs smoothly and efficiently and is conducted in accordance with the law. He or she also ensures that the council's financial transactions are properly authorised and recorded.

Meetings

A local council must hold an annual meeting each year. In addition to the annual meeting, a local council in England must hold at least three other meetings each year. Meetings of a local council may take place within or outside its area. They cannot be held in premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor unless there is no other suitable room available either free of charge or at a reasonable cost. Public notice of meetings has to be given (at least three clear days for Council Meetings). In addition, every member of the council is entitled to receive a summons specifying the business to be transacted at a council meeting. Only specific business included in the summons should be transacted at a council meeting. There are statutory provisions dealing with aspects of meetings, for example, quorum, manner of voting, and the recording of minutes. The public, including the press, are entitled to attend parish meetings under the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960.

Elections

Parish councillors are elected for a term of four years. Elections are held on the first Thursday in May. The next ordinary elections are scheduled for 2019. The right to vote at any local government election is dependent upon the person's name having been entered in the current register of local government electors which is published annually.

The Quality Parish and Town Council Scheme has steadily grown since it was launched in March 2003. Quality status has been achieved by a diverse range of different councils ranging from those with electorates of tens of thousands and annual budgets of as much as £1million to councils with electorates of less than 500 and annual budgets of just a few thousand pounds. What they all have in common is a commitment to their local communities and by acquiring Quality status they have demonstrated to local people that they are representative, in touch with their communities, competent, and capable of taking on an enhanced role.

This Charter is made between the District and Borough councils in Leicestershire and the Leicestershire and Rutland Association of Local Councils on behalf of its parish council members in Leicestershire.

The Districts and Boroughs are interested in supporting LRALC and its member parishes to pursue as is appropriate 'Quality Parish Status' for their councils.

Parish Meetings

The Parish Meeting may only precept for expenditure relating to specific functions, powers and rights which have been conferred on it by legislation.

The main powers are set out in sections 9 and 13 and Part III of schedule 12 to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended ("the 1972 Act"). Unless indicated otherwise, references in this note to sections are references to sections in the 1972 Act and references to paragraphs are references to paragraphs in schedule 12 to the 1972 Act.

LRALC Elect New Chairman and Vice-Chairman - At it's Board Meeting on 10th September 2019 the LRALC Board of Directors elected Cllr John Springthorpe as Chairman and Cllr Tony Hirons as Vice-Chairman for 2019-20. Both have served on the Board and previo... bit.ly/2HTdqL5

about 5 days ago

Cancellation of Clerks 1 training 2nd September 2019 - Unfortunately, due to staff illness, the Clerks 1 training planned for today (2nd September 2019) is cancelled. The LRALC office is contacting booked delegates to inform them of the cancellation. Ap... bit.ly/32rCHE5

about 13 days ago

NALC Model Financial Regulations - Important Revisions - NALC has issued a revised version of its model Financial Regulations (FRs) which requires a relatively large number of amendments to be made to existing FRs used by councils that are based on the... bit.ly/2ZB1THc