Parish Councils are statutory bodies and are the first tier of
local government in England. They are independently elected and raise a precept
from the local community.
The Parish Councillors are your elected representatives on the
Parish Council, accountable to the voters of the areas they represent. They
vote on the key policy decisions which effect the services your Parish Council
provides and should be your first point of contact regarding the big issues
which are affecting the community in which you live.
Parish Councils have a variety of powers and duties and maintain
important and visible local services including allotments, bridleways, burial
grounds, maintenance of war memorials, bus shelters, car parks, commons and
open spaces, community transport schemes, community safety and crime reduction
measures, events and festivals, footpaths, leisure and sports facilities,
litter bins, public toilets, planning, street cleaning and lighting, tourism
activities, traffic calming measures, village greens and youth projects.
Great Bedwyn Parish Council’s duties
include :-
- Managing the allotments in Back Lane.
- Grounds maintenance at the Memorial Playing Field, War Memorial and Church Yard.
- Hedge cutting and tree work in some shared areas.
- The playground at the Memorial Playing Field.
- Liaising with Wiltshire Council and other agencies on issues affecting residents.
- Supporting and providing grants to community organisations.
Planning
The Parish Council is consulted on planning applications, and
routinely makes comments, but it has no responsibility for the decisions made. Planning
approval lies with Wiltshire Council.
Wiltshire Council
Wiltshire Council is the unitary authority for most of the county of Wiltshire and is responsible for, amongst other things :-
- Education. Social welfare. Housing services
- Planning and building control. Environmental health services.
- Sports and leisure facilities. Library services
- Roads, traffic signage, the imposition of speed limits and the gritting of roads in winter. Local transport policy.
- Refuse collection. Street cleaning. The operation of the household amenities (recycling) sites. Investigating and removing fly-tipping and abandoned cars.