Parish Council

A parish council is an elected local authority. It is the tier of local government which is closest to the people. It is not a voluntary organisation, a charity or something to do with the church.

Your councillors have an active interest and concern for the local community. They work in partnership with and represent the views of the people living in Long Compton in relation to matters concerning our community

Councillors are not paid and have to abide by a local government code of conduct and declare their financial interests in the parish. Councillors must also declare a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter under discussion at a parish council meeting.

Your councillors are friendly and approachable and work voluntarily for the good of this wonderful community in which we live. As your representatives, the council look forward to hearing your views, concerns and ideas to help make this village an even nicer place to live.

The Council holds an ordinary meeting every month and an annual meeting in May.  The dates of meetings are notified on the village noticeboards as well as on this website and members of the parish are warmly invited to attend. There is the opportunity to discuss your views or concerns during the public forum at the beginning of each Council meeting.

The Council has many decision-making powers on how to act and spend money for the benefit of the parish. Some of these require the support of the District Council or County Council to facilitate them and all are subject to normal procedures of, for example, planning as well as general legislation. The money the Council spends comes from Long Compton residents as a proportion of your council tax (called the precept): every resident is financially invested in the good running of the village. Additional funding and grants can also be sought from a number of funding bodies.

Broadly speaking, the Council may discuss anything that affects all or part of the community, directly or indirectly. As the democratic representative body for Long Compton, it may influence decisions made by others too.

More specifically, the Council’s responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Looking after the assets of the parish. The assets include, amongst others, the recreation ground, bus shelters, benches and the children’s playground
• Liaising with the County Council on highway and footpath safety and repair
• Liaising with the County Council on public transport and road safety matters affecting Long Compton
• Maintaining this website to promote effective communication within Long Compton and for the benefit of our village organisations
• Making grants to village organisations from council funds
• Liaising with the police on matters of concern within the parish
• Monitoring drainage and ditches throughout the parish and actioning as and when necessary
• Consulting on all planning applications within the parish, and on major planning applications in neighbouring parishes. When planning applications are submitted, the Council is allowed to comment and asked to express approval, objection (with reasons) or express no recommendation. These comments are passed on to the Stratford Upon Avon District Council planning authority who make the final decision.

The term of office for a parish Councillor is four years. After that time, the position is open to election. Prospective candidates must complete the appropriate nomination papers available from the Clerk.  The chairman and vice-chairman positions are normally elected annually.

In the event that a Councillor resigns from office mid-term, a by-election will be held. From the date of public notification, electors have 14 working days to request a poll to fill the vacancy. If a poll is claimed by at least ten electors then an election to fill the vacancy must be called within 60 days of the original notification of vacancy.

Where a poll is not claimed and the next full election is more than six months away, the Council is obliged to co-opt a councillor. The Council will advertise the vacancy and ask for applications to be made in writing. Applications will be considered by Council and the successful applicant co-opted by resolution of Council.