BEECH PARISH COUNCIL

A Brief Guide

to

Serving as a

Beech Parish Councillor

Background and Introduction

Beech Parish Council was established in May 1999 and, when at its full compliment, consists of 7 Councillors and a Clerk. It serves the communities of Beech and Thedden, and currently has 474 electors (as at 15.10.10).

Since May 1999, the Council has:

• commented on an average of 20 planning applications a year
• established the footpath at the lower end of Medstead Road
• introduced traffic calming measures throughout the village (including ‘Village 30’ and proposed purchase of Speed Limit Reminder signs)
• monitored and reported on the state of roads and footpaths in the village
• supported the Village Hall and Church with refurbishment and development plans
• produced a Village Appraisal and Design Statement

(and currently supporting production of a Parish Plan)

• financed the setting up of an active Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and Beech Newsletter
• commented on a vast range of consultation documents
• begun consultations regarding provision of a cemetery for Beech

The council’s main income comes from the ‘Precept’, raised by EHDC through the Council Tax on behalf of the Parish Council. The amount of Precept is determined by the Parish Council’s budget process which takes place in October each year. The proposed Precept for 2011 - 2012 is £12,000 (ie. less than £26 per elector).

A Councillor’s role is challenging, sometimes exciting, often frustrating but hopefully always satisfying in that you are serving your community and making a difference.

A Councillor’s Role, Responsibilities and Duties

Councillors are elected by the parish every four years. Of the current councillors, one has served since Council began in 1999, 4 have served since last elections in 2007, the Chairman since 2003 and most recently, a new Councillor was co-opted in June 2010. The Clerk, who is employed by the council to provide professional and administrative support to the council, has been in post since June 2001.

A councillor’s role is to listen to and represent the views and interests of the community as a whole through being well informed on local issues and by consultation with local people, taking action as appropriate.

The Council is a ‘corporate body’ with decisions being made by ‘the Council’ at monthly Council meetings. It is possible that personal opinions will not always be that of the decision reached

by ‘the Council’ but Councillors will be expected to abide by this decision.

A councillor is required to attend meetings on a regular basis and adhere to a Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Meetings and Business

Beech Parish Council holds 10 full council meetings per year (meetings in August and December are only called if there is urgent business).

Meetings are held on 3^rd Monday of the month at 7.30 pm at the Village Hall (avoiding school holidays) and generally last between 1.5 – 2 hours. Meetings are held in public with opportunities for the public to speak on agenda items or to ask questions.

The Annual Parish Council Meeting is held in May of each year when the Chairman is elected. The Annual Parish Meeting (an open meeting for electors) has, for the past few years, preceded the normal March Council meeting. At this meeting, there may be a guest speaker, the District and County Councillors attend to give their reports and take public questions and the Chairman gives the annual report of the Beech Parish Council activities.

To spread the workload, the Council appoints Advisory Panels of 2-4 councillors to consider specific issues in depth such as Finance, Planning, Community & the Environment and Highways & Footpaths. They consult and meet as necessary (normally no more than twice a year – excepting Planning). Any recommendations are brought to Council for approval.

Becoming a Councillor

The next Parish Council elections are due on 5 May 2011. Details of how to stand for election are available on the EHDC website at:

www.easthants.gov.uk.

Once elected, Councillors will be required to attend a meeting to be called within 14 days of the election (likely to be Monday, 16 May). At this Annual Parish Council meeting a Chairman (and Vice-Chairman) will be elected by Council members and various roles assigned to councillors. You will also be offered new councillor training.

Further Information

See the Council’s website at www.beechpc.com where you can view Minutes, Agendas, Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and obtain contact details for council members, any of whom would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

An information meetings for prospective new Parish Councillors are being held locally by the Hampshire Association of Local Councils and EHDC. If you would like to attend, please either see the EHDC website www.easthants.gov.uk or contact the Clerk, Mrs Sheron Gillard, at

beechpc@gillardhome.plus.com.