What is a Parish Council?
Parish or town councils are an important tier of government within the UK. A parish/town council is the smallest and most localised tier of local government in the UK and is a properly constituted local authority operating at a level below national government, district and borough councils. They are statutory bodies, having powers under several different acts (the Local Government Act 1972, the Public Health Act 1936, etc.). Only a few councils need to use all their available powers. It is up to each council to choose what is appropriate for the community they serve. This link Parish council remit provides further information on parish councils in England.
Lindfield Rural Parish Council
Lindfield Rural Parish Council was first established in 1935 and was based in the Millennium Centre, Scaynes Hill from 2000 and then moved its offices to the old chapel at the Walstead Burial Ground in 2020.
Parish council finances
The Lindfield Rural Parish Council raises funds by the annual precept (the source of its main funding) is set in January of each year. The amount required is guided by the setting of the annual budget in the November preceding. The precept is added to the council tax bill and collected by Mid Sussex District Council (on behalf of the parish council). The council can also raise funds from other organisations. The council also receives income from operating the Walstead Burial Ground.
Council organisation
Lindfield Rural Parish Council has nine councillors and two part time members of the staff, the clerk to the council and the responsible financial officer. Council meeting are held regularly throughout the year with the dates listed on this website. In dealing with the council’s different responsibilities the council has adopted a team approach which is set out in the “Councillor’s guide to overseeing Lindfield Rural Parish Council policies, procedures, activities & assets in teams and as individual councillors”. Please see Overseeing Guide.
Council meeting requirements
A parish council in England must hold not less than four meetings in each year, one of which must be the Annual Parish Council Meeting, which normally takes place every year in May.
At the Annual Parish Council Meeting a new chairperson must be nominated. A vice-chair may be nominated also and appointments to committees made. In an election year the Annual Parish Council Meeting must take place on the day when councillors take office, or within 14 days thereafter.
The Agenda sets out the business of each meeting. The Clerk must display a signed agenda, in a public place, at least 3 clear days before an ordinary meeting and send a copy to all members of the council.
The purpose of an agenda is for councillors and the public to know what issues will be discussed and voted on. A council cannot lawfully make decisions on anything that is not on the agenda.
Place of meeting
Lindfield Rural Parish council meetings take place at its Walstead Chapel Offices in East Mascalls Lane, which has space for members of the public to attend the meeting.
Attendance at meetings
- In order for meetings to be quorate one third of council members, or 3, whichever is greater, must be present.
- Attendance and apologies, with reasons for absence, must be recorded.
- A councillor is disqualified if s/he does not attend a meeting in 6 months and his/her long-term absence has not been agreed upon by a full parish council meeting.
- If a councillor is late or leaves early, a record must be made as this could affect quorum, etc.
- Parish council meetings must be open to the public and press. However, they may be excluded for part of the meeting if the council resolves that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest, or for other special reasons stated in the resolution.
Decision making
All matters coming before a council must be decided upon by a majority of councillors present and voting. Each councillor has one vote and must vote in person. (Councillors who have been disqualified by declaring a prejudicial interest will not vote). In addition, the chair has the casting vote if it is required.
Minutes
Minutes must be kept of all decisions made at a council meeting. They should be short and concise. The pages must be numbered and after they have been approved, signed by the Chair. Minutes are only legal evidence after they have been signed. The agenda and the minutes must tally up. Each resolution must be either Approved, Rejected or Actioned.
More information about parish council meetings can be found in publications, see the link to this document. The Good Councillor Guide by Meera Tharmarajah.