About your council
What is a parish council?
Parish councils were established in 1894 to take on the duties formally administered by church wardens and overseers of the poor. They are the lowest tier of government and deal with village community matters.
What do they do?
Parish councils have a wide range of powers given to them through legislation. They have tax-raising powers (known as the ‘precept’); they can make bye-laws in specific areas; they can provide amenities and facilities such as village halls, parks, playing fields, allotments, bus shelters, parking, litter bins, grit bins, traffic signs, public baths and public clocks!
What is the South Heighton precept spent on?
The money is routinely spent on the maintenance of The Hollow recreation ground and play area (on lease from Glynde estates), the Village Green (which the parish council owns), street lighting, its four notice boards, limited subscriptions and donations to local organisations and causes, the council’s bi-annual newsletter, insurance, auditing and employment of a part-time clerk/responsible finance officer.
Who runs the parish council
South Heighton parish council is run by seven elected/co-opted parish councillors. Parish councillors are elected every four years, co-option is made when a vacancy occurs and a full election is not required. At the Annual Council meeting a chairman is appointed as well as a Vice Chair. A clerk/responsible financial officer, who receives remuneration, is responsible for the organisation of the council including dealing with correspondence, financial matters, and preparing the agenda for meetings and the completion of meeting minutes.
How does the council do its business
The council usually meets approximately monthly on a Tuesday evening starting at 7.00pm in South Heighton Village Hall, where parishioner’s questions are heard, petitions accepted and items on the agenda are discussed and resolved. Councillors also do other tasks outside of this such as talking to local government officials, dealing with complaints, representing the council at other meetings, and chasing up our proposals and resolutions. South Heighton Parish Council is currently working on two projects, The Hollow and the Village Green. The council welcomes members of the public to join working group’s to progress projects.
The council encourages parishioners to keep an eye on the parish and inform the council of any issues or concerns, but it also helps the council if parishioners can deal with small problems themselves by contacting the bodies responsible, but if in doubt parishioners are welcome to contact a Councillor or the Parish Clerk.
Can the public attend meetings?
Yes. The public are very welcome to sit in on meetings. In fact we encourage members of the public/parishioners to attend so that they are fully informed about what is happening in their parish. The public role is to observe only, but the agenda always allows a set period of time for members of the public to speak at the meeting (usually at the start of the meeting). This opportunity can be used to express views, make comments and present petitions. The council may ask a member of the public, at the discretion of the Chairman, to express an opinion on matters where the member of the public has a particular interest or knowledge.
How can you find out more about what the Parish Council does?
Attend the Parish Council meetings, take time to view meeting agendas and reports, keep an eye on information on our notice boards, website and Facebook page, read the minutes and newsletters available on this website or on one of the noticeboards. Contact the Parish Council using this website.
Civility and Respect Pledge
NALC, SLCC, and OVW believe now is the time to put civility and respect at the top of the agenda and start a culture change for the local council sector.
The Civility and Respect Pledge is being introduced because there is no place for bullying, harassment and intimidation within our sector. The pledge is easy for councils to sign up for and it will enable councils to demonstrate that they are committed to standing up to poor behaviour across our sector and to driving through positive changes which support civil and respectful conduct.
South Heighton Parish Council have signed up to the pledge to treat everyone with Civility and Respect – this commitment is made annually at the July Council Meeting
Parish councils were established in 1894 to take on the duties formally administered by church wardens and overseers of the poor. They are the lowest tier of government and deal with village community matters.
What do they do?
Parish councils have a wide range of powers given to them through legislation. They have tax-raising powers (known as the ‘precept’); they can make bye-laws in specific areas; they can provide amenities and facilities such as village halls, parks, playing fields, allotments, bus shelters, parking, litter bins, grit bins, traffic signs, public baths and public clocks!
What is the South Heighton precept spent on?
The money is routinely spent on the maintenance of The Hollow recreation ground and play area (on lease from Glynde estates), the Village Green (which the parish council owns), street lighting, its four notice boards, limited subscriptions and donations to local organisations and causes, the council’s bi-annual newsletter, insurance, auditing and employment of a part-time clerk/responsible finance officer.
Who runs the parish council
South Heighton parish council is run by seven elected/co-opted parish councillors. Parish councillors are elected every four years, co-option is made when a vacancy occurs and a full election is not required. At the Annual Council meeting a chairman is appointed as well as a Vice Chair. A clerk/responsible financial officer, who receives remuneration, is responsible for the organisation of the council including dealing with correspondence, financial matters, and preparing the agenda for meetings and the completion of meeting minutes.
How does the council do its business
The council usually meets approximately monthly on a Tuesday evening starting at 7.00pm in South Heighton Village Hall, where parishioner’s questions are heard, petitions accepted and items on the agenda are discussed and resolved. Councillors also do other tasks outside of this such as talking to local government officials, dealing with complaints, representing the council at other meetings, and chasing up our proposals and resolutions. South Heighton Parish Council is currently working on two projects, The Hollow and the Village Green. The council welcomes members of the public to join working group’s to progress projects.
The council encourages parishioners to keep an eye on the parish and inform the council of any issues or concerns, but it also helps the council if parishioners can deal with small problems themselves by contacting the bodies responsible, but if in doubt parishioners are welcome to contact a Councillor or the Parish Clerk.
Can the public attend meetings?
Yes. The public are very welcome to sit in on meetings. In fact we encourage members of the public/parishioners to attend so that they are fully informed about what is happening in their parish. The public role is to observe only, but the agenda always allows a set period of time for members of the public to speak at the meeting (usually at the start of the meeting). This opportunity can be used to express views, make comments and present petitions. The council may ask a member of the public, at the discretion of the Chairman, to express an opinion on matters where the member of the public has a particular interest or knowledge.
How can you find out more about what the Parish Council does?
Attend the Parish Council meetings, take time to view meeting agendas and reports, keep an eye on information on our notice boards, website and Facebook page, read the minutes and newsletters available on this website or on one of the noticeboards. Contact the Parish Council using this website.
Civility and Respect Pledge
NALC, SLCC, and OVW believe now is the time to put civility and respect at the top of the agenda and start a culture change for the local council sector.
The Civility and Respect Pledge is being introduced because there is no place for bullying, harassment and intimidation within our sector. The pledge is easy for councils to sign up for and it will enable councils to demonstrate that they are committed to standing up to poor behaviour across our sector and to driving through positive changes which support civil and respectful conduct.
South Heighton Parish Council have signed up to the pledge to treat everyone with Civility and Respect – this commitment is made annually at the July Council Meeting