The role of Parish and Town Councils
In the East Riding of Yorkshire there are 168 Parish and Town Councils, each of which is made up, on average, of 11 Councillors, who have been elected to represent their area and deal with the problems and issues raised by individual electors.
Each Parish/Town Council is an executive body and has statutory powers and duties.
Parish/Town Councils are expected, and often asked, to voice the views of the community that they represent on planning applications, local plans and other issues. They also nominate members to represent the view of the parish on outside bodies and, in turn, report back to the parish council on the business of the body concerned.
The Parish Council is frequently expected to lead on projects that will benefit the local community because it is often the only body with access to information and with the resources to take an initiative.
Parish and Town Council members are also required to sign up to the Local Code of Conduct and, in doing so, pledge to observe the requirements contained within it.
They must also supply relevant information for a 'register of interests', a public document that lists their affiliation to, or membership of, other bodies and also any employment or business that they carry out. It will also contain details of any land within the parish boundary in which they have a beneficial interest.
Please use the links below to find more information on Parish and Town councils in the East Riding :
Parish finder Information - for information and contact details for all parishes in the East Riding, including Census profiles for each parish.
Parish and Town Council Toolkit
A Toolkit has been developed by the Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors (ACSeS) for use by Parish and Town Councils.
The Toolkit was revised in February 2006, a copy of which can be accessed by clicking on the link below. The link will take you to the ACSeS website.
ACSeS - Parish Council Toolkit
The ACSeS are planning to update the Toolkit following the introduction of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. Please be aware that the section relating to the Code of Conduct is one such section to be amended.
