Are you looking for a way to contribute to your local community in 2022? Volunteering as a parish councillor could be for you. Parish councils are the lowest tier of local government and the one closest to the people they represent. They are a vital part of the local community and rely on members of the local community to volunteer their time to be successful.

Parish councils are the lowest tier of local government, they are able to make decisions on behalf of the people in the parish and have a responsibility for the well-being of their local communities. As they are the local authority closest to the people, parish councils are usually the first place people will go with concerns or ideas, and are a vital part of any community. They represent the local community, deliver some local services to meet local needs and aim to improve the quality of life in the parish.

Parish councils are administered by a member of staff, the clerk, but it is the parish councillors who meet and make decisions. Parish councillors are members of the local community who have volunteered a few hours a week of time to contribute to their local area. Unlike principal authorities (district and county councils) party politics doesn’t usually play any part in the business of the parish council.

By becoming a parish councillor you become someone your community will look to for help, guidance and support. A community leader with the power to influence decisions for the benefit of the people you serve. Seeing your parish change for the better, as a result of decisions you have helped make, is something that can give you a sense of achievement and pride.

Parish councils make all kinds of decisions on issues that affect their local communities.  They often provide local facilities such as community buildings, play areas, playing fields and other public open spaces. They can work with the highways authority to improve traffic management. They can support local groups and organisations. They are a statutory consultee for planning applications, though decisions on those applications are made by the district council, or in some cases the county council. Although the powers of parish councils are limited, they can influence the district council, county council and other organisations by providing feedback when consulted on new initiatives and proposals.

Parish councils fund their own plans and proposals through the parish precept, income received from the council tax. They can raise additional funds through income from the hiring of facilities and through applications for grant funding. Each year parish councils agree their annual budget and the precept for the following year.

Councils usually meet once a month for the council meeting, to which members of the public are also invited.  Meetings generally last a couple of hours, though this will vary depending on the agenda set for the meeting.  Some councils have committees and working parties to deal with specific subjects, such as finance, planning, traffic or environmental issues. Some councillors also attend other meetings representing the council, for example acting as a representative on an outside body, or helping develop a new project for the community. 

Parish councillors are usually elected for a four year term. The most recent elections were in May 2019 and the next elections are due in May 2023. Vacancies occur from time to time and these are most commonly filled by a process known as co-option, though occasionally a by-election is held. There are currently vacancies on both Mepal Parish Council and Sutton Parish Council to be filled by co-option. If you live in either of these communities you can put yourself forward to join the parish council until May 2023.

A good way to find out what it’s like to be a parish councillor is to talk to someone who’s doing it now. You could also come along to a parish council meeting as a member of the public or talk to the parish clerk.

If you do want to join your parish council, you need to confirm that you are eligible. You must be at least 18 years old and either a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any member state of the European Union. In addition you need to meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

1. Your name must appear on the register of local government electors for the parish at the time of your nomination and throughout your term of office should you be elected.
2. You have occupied any land or other premises as owner or tenant in the parish during 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.
3. Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the parish area. You do not have to have paid employment to qualify, as long as your main or only place of work is in the parish area.
4. You have lived in the parish area or within three miles of it during 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

You may be disqualified as a candidate if:

• You are employed by the parish council or hold a paid office under the parish council.
• You have been declared bankrupt in the last five years and have not repaid your debts.
• You have been convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to at least three months imprisonment (including any suspended sentence) within the previous five years.
• You are disqualified due to corrupt practices under the Representation of the People Act 1983 or the Audit Commission Act.

As already mentioned, both Mepal and Sutton parish councils have vacancies. You can contact the clerk at Mepal by email at clerk@mepalparish.org, and you can contact the clerk at Sutton by email at office@sutton-cambs-pc.gov.uk for more details.

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