The Parish Council meets every two months, usually on the second Wednesday of alternate months starting in January, and the meetings are normally held at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall.
Members of the public are always welcome to attend these meetings, either in person or via Zoom, and are invited to ‘have their say’ in the first 15 minutes of the meeting, during the ‘Public Session’.
The Parish Council usually also hold an Annual Parish Meeting between March and May, where the public can find out more about what the Parish Council have done over the previous year and what they are planning for the next. It is an opportunity to provide feedback, ask questions and talk to the Councillors in a more informal setting than the normal Parish Council meetings.
The Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities 2015 states that Parish Councils should publish a list Councillor’s responsibilities: 1) names of all Councillors, 2) their membership of committees or boards (and their role if Chair or Vice-Chair) and 3) if appointed to represent the Parish Council on any external local bodies. Other than Chair and Vice-Chair of the Parish Council, no Payhembury Parish Councillor has any specific responsibilities, as listed in the Transparency Code.
What is a Parish Council?
Parish or Town Councils are an important tier of Government within the UK; a Parish/Town Council is the smallest and most localised tier of local government in the UK and is a properly constituted local authority.
The powers and duties, and the manner in which a Parish Council operates are laid out in local government statute and regulations; Parish Councils operate at a level below national government and also below district and borough councils. Parish & Town Councils are elected and can help on a number of local issues, like planning applications or running local sports grounds and community halls.
The Parish Council has legal responsibilities as an employer, and sometimes as an owner of public land and buildings.
Parish Councils are Statutory Bodies, having powers under a number of different Acts (the Local Government Act 1972, the Public Health Act 1936, etc.). Only a few Councils need to use all their available powers. It is up to each Council to choose what is appropriate for the community they serve.
The Council raises funds by the annual Precept is set in January of each year. The amount required is guided by the setting of the annual budget in the November preceding.
The Parish Council precept is added to the Council Tax bill and collected by East Devon District Council (on behalf of the Parish Council).
The Council also raises funds through grants from other organisations.
Parish Councillors
We will endeavour to keep the information provided on our own site accurate and up to date.
If you spot any errors or omissions please contact us by email so that we can investigate and correct.