What's the point of a parish council?

The parish council acts on behalf of the parish and represents the interests of the whole community. It can provide a wide range of services using its legal powers, from community centres to festivals, and allotments to bus services.

The parish council:- 

gives views, on behalf of the parish in relation to planning applications and other proposals that affect the parish

undertakes work and projects that will benefit the parish; this includes the maintenance & management of assets such as the village sign, street furniture and bus stops and also the employment of someone to keep areas in the village tidy

makes small grants to village organisations

works in partnership with other organisations to achieve benefits for the parish

informs other organisations of problems that arise or work that needs to be undertaken

helps the other levels of local government keep in touch with the local community

Planning

The parish council is a statutory consultee for all planning applications in Fressingfield, although decisions to grant or refuse an application are made by Mid Suffolk District Council. The district council sends the details of all applications to the parish council and invites the council to make comments. Planning applications are discussed at meetings of the parish council, where copies of the applications and related maps and plans are available to view.  Details of the applications to be considered will be included within the agenda for each meeting. If matters are pressing,  a planning committee meeting is held. Anyone can object to, or support, planning applications, and details of applications can be viewed online at www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/development-management/

Precept

The precept is the parish council's share of the council tax and is used to help improve life for the local community in many ways. Each year the parish council is obliged to assess how much money is required to effectively administer the parish. This is done through a budget process where receipts and payments are considered for the forthcoming year. The parish council then notifies Mid Suffolk District Council of the amount of money required. This money is sent to the parish council in two equal amounts in April and September. 

More details about the council's finances are in the section 'Finance reports and auditing'

View the Good Councillor Guide 2018