What is a Parish Council?
A Parish Council is the first tier of local authority democracy and its members are voted into office through elections held in the Parish area. Elected Councillors serve for four years.

What can Parish Councils do?
Parliament has laid down the various powers to which Parish Councils operate. These can include planning, provision of recreational facilities, community centres and public buildings, crime prevention, community transport, public toilets, tourism, allotments, footpaths, street lighting, certain aspects of highway maintenance, litter, open spaces, traffic calming etc. Powers were recently increased to include, where appropriate, the local authority’s Local Plan, problems associated with highways, refuse collection and the maintaining of local relations between all aspects of community life.

Where do Parish Councils get their Funding?
The income to provide services administered by the Parish Council is obtained through the Parish Council Precept which forms a small part of Broadland District Council’s Council Tax. Thus a portion of your Council Tax is paid back through the Parish Council to fund facilities in your Parish.

The Parish Council may also receive grants or income in other ways such as through building development payments known as Section 106 agreements or by application to Broadland District Council.