Local Government

Parish Councils form the lowest tier of local government and, typically, are responsible for a single village or town. The next level is the District Council which provides services such as housing and planning control over a much larger area and, finally, the County Council provides policing, schools and highway management for the entire county.

If you're looking for local government contact details, please refer to the contacts page.

Origins of the Parish Council
  Parish Councils have existed in one form or another for at least 800 years. Parish Councils in the modern form of an elected body were formed in response to the Parish and District Councils Act 1894 which enacted that in every Rural Parish having a population of 300 or upwards, a council shall be elected for the management of parochial affairs.

In Kingsley, a Parish Meeting was held on 11 December 1894 to elect the members of the Parish Council. The council held its first meeting on 18 December 1894.
Why become a Parish Councillor?
  People become parish councillors for different reasons but the common thread is that they wish to "put something back" into the community.

Perhaps you have something you can put back (time, special skills, patience) or perhaps you wish to influence some aspect of village life or the local environment. As you will see from this website, the parish council has fingers in many pies:- planning, rights of way, bus shelters, open spaces, graveyards, voluntary services to name but a few.

The commitment required from councillors can be as little as attending monthly meetings but the opportunities are manifold.
How do I become a Parish Councillor?
  The Parish Council members are appointed or elected every four years. If there are more candidates than the number of seats, an election is held otherwise the candidates are elected automatically. In the event of a shortfall in the number of candidates, the vacancies can be filled by co-opting suitably qualified people onto the council.
In order to qualify as a Parish Councillor, you must:
• be a local government elector of the parish, or
• have occupied any land or premises in the parish for twelve months, or
• have your principal place of work in the parish for twelve months, or
• have resided in the parish or within three miles for twelve months

However, you may be disqualified for a number of reasons including:
• holding a paid office under the local authority
• bankruptcy
• have been sentenced to imprisonment of at least three months within the last five years
• being disqualified for corrupt or illegal practices

For full details, please contact Tara Stapleton, Electoral Services Officer, EHDC, Tel: 01730 234093

The next election for the Parish Council will be held in May 2011