Parish councils in Rotherham
In England, local communities may be represented by either a parish council (also know as a town or community council in Rotherham) or, in smaller areas, a parish meeting.
Both give residents a way to influence local decisions, but they work in different ways.
A parish council is an elected local authority. It is a corporate body with legal powers made up of locally elected councillors. Most councils meet every month or every 6 weeks to hear from residents and discuss local issues.
A parish council can:
- manage local services such as parks, cemeteries, community buildings and allotments
- comment on planning applications
- raise a precept (part of council tax) to fund services - employ staff, such as a Clerk or grounds workers
- run or commission local projects
Because councillors are elected, the council can enter contracts, spend money and make decisions as an organisation. Decisions must be made at formal council meetings and follow set rules.
Some very small parishes do not have a parish council. Instead, they have a parish meeting. Every elector in the parish is automatically a member.
A parish meeting:
- has no elected councillors
- must meet at least twice a year, but can meet more often
- makes decisions by a majority vote of the electors who attend
- can raise a precept in limited circumstances
- can carry out some statutory functions
- usually appoints a Chair
A parish meeting is not a corporate body. It cannot employ staff, own property in its own name, or enter contracts in the same way a parish council can. Its powers are limited, and it often needs support from the district or unitary council.
There are 31 parished areas in Rotherham. These include:
- 2 town councils
- 25 parish councils
- 1 community council
- 3 parish meetings
Each council is different in size and capacity. Some serve small rural communities, while others support larger urban areas. All work to provide services and respond to local needs.
Find your Parish or Town Council
