The Parish Council currently have 4 vacancies for Councillors, with 8 seats filled out of 12.
What is a Parish Council?
A Parish Council is an elected body in the first tier of government and plays a vital role in representing the interests of the community it serves and improving the quality of life and the local environment. It is responsible for things such as community safety, streetlighting, playing fields, war memorials, seating, and some aspects of planning. A Parish Council is encouraged by Central Government to deliver more services and play a greater part in the community they serve.
What does a Councillor do?
The job of councillor is a voluntary one. There is training available to enable new councillors to understand what it is they can and cannot do and the rules that govern them. Individual councillors have no powers to act, they cannot make decisions as an individual, or commission services etc. Decisions must be taken as a council and they must fall within parish council powers. Councillors are expected to attend all the of Council meetings and Planning meetings which are held monthly, engage with their community and residents within the Parish they represent, and make collective decisions for the Parish that are in the best interests of the community.
To be eligible to become a Parish Councillor you need:
- to be either a British citizen, a citizen of the Commonwealth, or the European Union,
- be 18 years of age or older
- have lived in the parish or within 2 miles for a minimum of 12 months
If you would like to join the PC you can apply for co-option now. Please send a brief resume of yourself, explain why you would like to become a Council member and what skills you could bring to the team to clerk@aspleyguiseparishcouncil.gov.uk. You will then be invited to join one of the Council meetings for a short interview.
Due to COVID19 the Council currently meet remotely via Zoom. If you would like to join a meeting to see what happens before you apply, please contact the Clerk for the login details of the next Full Council meeting.