What is a Parish Council?
Parish or Town Councils are an important tier of Government within the UK; a Parish/Town Council is the smallest and most localised tier of local government in the UK and is a properly constituted local authority.
The powers and duties, and the manner in which a Parish Council operates are laid out in local government statute and regulations; Parish Councils operate at a level below national government and also below district and borough councils. Parish & Town Councils are elected and can help on a number of local issues, like planning applications or running local sports grounds and community halls.
The Parish Council has legal responsibilities as an employer, and sometimes as an owner of public land and buildings.
Parish Councils are Statutory Bodies, having powers under a number of different Acts (the Local Government Act 1972, the Public Health Act 1936, etc.). Only a few Councils need to use all their available powers. It is up to each Council to choose what is appropriate for the community they serve.
The Council raises funds by the annual Precept is set in January of each year. The amount required is guided by the setting of the annual budget in the November preceding.
Compton Martin Parish Council’s precept is added to the Council Tax bill and collected by B&NES Council on behalf of the Parish Council.
The Parish Council also raises funds through grants from other organisations.
Parish Councillors
We will endeavour to keep the information provided on our own site accurate and up to date.
If you spot any errors or omissions please contact us by email so that we can investigate and correct.
Compton Martin Parish Council has received a prestigious award as part of the Local Council Award Scheme. This achievement recognises that the council achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and council improvement. Moreover, Compton Martin Parish Council goes above and beyond their legal obligations, leading their communities and continuously seeking opportunities to improve and develop even further.
Compton Martin Parish Council has signed up to the Civility & Respect Pledge
Compton Martin Parish Council will:
● Treat all councillors, clerk and all employees, members of the public, representatives of partner
organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their role.
● Put in place a training programme for councillors and staff.
● Sign up to Code of Conduct for councillors.
● Have in place good governance arrangements including staff contracts and Dignity at Work Policy.
● Commit to seek professional help at early stages should civility and respect issues arise.
● Commit to calling out bullying and harassment if and when it happens.
● Continue to learn from best practice in the sector and aspire to being a role model / champion
council e.g., via Local Council Award Scheme.
● Support the continued lobbying for the change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect
Pledge including sanctions for elected members where appropriate.
Calendar of Meetings
