What the Parish Council does

Following on from the 18^th century institutions of The Church Wardens and Overseers of the Poor, the Parish Council was set up by the Local Government Act of 1894.  It inherited many of the Wardens/Overseers old duties, but their powers were now purely secular, effectively cutting the Church off from direct involvement in Local Government.  

It is primarily a non-political body, to be consulted by the Borough Council on local matters.  It is answerable chiefly to the Annual Parish Meeting, to which is must report every year and must act with the tacit approval of that meeting.     

It is financed by a 'precept', included in the rates levied by Basingstoke & Deane.  Currently this costs almost £15 per band D house per year.  The principle expenditures are for the insurance and maintenance of village assets, the expenses of the voluntary clerk and audit fees.  It is subject to an annual audit by the District Auditor, which covers not only financial propriety but ensures that the council acts only within its statutory powers.

It has powers to regulate local open spaces, provide recreation facilities, manage footpaths etc. and has the right to be consulted on planning matters.  Its ability to spend money on non-statutory objectives 'in the interests of the community' is strictly limited.  It is unlikely therefore to spend money on 'campaigns' or charitable works or public art, but subsidy of the local News Magazine is allowable at a modest level.  Grants to local organisations such as the Village Hall Management Committee are allowable.

The Council meet six times per year plus one Annual Parish Meeting.  Their normal Agenda covers:

• Planning and the Environment
• Roads and Footpaths
• Recreation - including tennis, football, the children’s playground, Allotments
• Finance 

There is always an 'Urgent Items' space at the beginning of the evening for parishioners to raise items of concern.  

Different councillors take the lead on each of these topics under the Chairmanship of Donald Komrower and Vice Chairman Sam Preece.

Currently their responsibilities are:

The Chairmanship of the Council and the responsibilities of Councillors are reviewed and renewed annually in the first meeting after the APM.  Every four years the Parish Council is subject to an election.  Each Councillor has to make a formal declaration of acceptance of the responsibilities of office and a declaration of interests.

The Clerk’s role, apart from ensuring the smooth flow of routine business, is to act as Chief Financial Officer, reporting via the Councillor responsible for Finance and preparing the appropriate accounts for audit.  The Clerk is also responsible for ensuring that the due forms and processes of meetings are observed and that the Council remains within its statutory powers and limitations.

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