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Somerford Keynes Parish Council

Somerford Keynes Parish Council

Somerford Keynes Parish Council like all councils is a statutory local authority established under the Local Government Act 1972. It operates in the area of Somerford Keynes and Shorncote parishes.

 

The District ward is called Kemble and includes Somerford Keynes, Poole Keynes, Kemble, Coates, Tarlton & Rodmarton

 

Who is on the council?

 

Somerford Keynes Parish Council is made up of councillors elected by the electors of the parish. Every year the council elects one councillor to be the Chairman of the council. The council has a paid clerk, who organises meetings and helps to carry out the councilʼs decisions. If you want to contact the Parish Council please email [email protected]

The district and county councillors are:

 

What Responsibilities does the Parish Council have

 

The Parish Council has a wide range of responsibilities that essentially relate to local matters, such as looking after community buildings, play areas, some street lighting, bus shelters, and the conservation area

 

The Parish Conservation Area covers much of Somerford Keynes village from Croft House northwards, missing out on some but not all of the modern housing. If you want to do building alterations or tree work in this area, you may well need permission from Cotswold District Council. CDC has revamped this area [April 2018]. New Appraisal Map of new Conservation Area

 

The council does not have responsibility for Highway faults, County Waste Collections, District Dog fouling – If in doubt please contact the clerk ([email protected])

 

Accountability

 

The council is accountable to the electors of the parish. Elections to the Somerford Keynes parish council are held every four years. The councilʼs accounts are audited by an external auditor.

 

The Annual General Meeting is held each April. All reports presented at the public meeting are on the Publications page

 

Parish Council Meetings

 

There is a meeting on the first non-Bank Holiday Monday of each month unless the Clerk declares there is no business to transact. Meetings are open to the public. If you wish to address the council, please contact the clerk well beforehand so that arrangements can be made for this. The Agenda for each meeting is usually published on the noticeboard by the phone box, on this site on the Publications page and emailed out to the Parish email list.

 

Can I attend the meetings of the council?

 

Yes, all meetings of the council and its committees are open to the general public, except in exceptional circumstances. The time and place of meetings are advertised beforehand through the parish email distribution list and will be posted on this website. Notices will be posted at least three days before the meeting.

 

Can I speak at the meeting?

 

You cannot speak whilst normal business (standing orders) is being conducted. However, the Council will allow time at the meeting to ensure the public can address the Council on any issue that concerns them.

 

Can I see the minutes of council meetings and other papers?

 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2010, you may see and have a copy of the ʻrecordedʼ information held by the council (unless it is classed as exempt information in the Act). This includes reports, minutes, correspondence and emails. You can find these documents on the Publications page

 

How do I get elected to the council?

 

Elections are held every four years and will usually coincide with a District Council election. A Public Notice of a forthcoming election will be placed on the website and sent out through the Parish email distribution list

There are occasions when the number of people who put their names forward for election is less than the required number of seats on the council. In these circumstances, an election is not required and those who stood for election are deemed elected. In order to fill the vacancies, the council is required to co-opt other residents.

If a seat on the council becomes vacant between normal elections then a special procedure has to be followed which can lead to an election or, more usually, the co-option of a new councillor. The council will advertise widely in the parish if it is seeking to make a co-option.

 

What powers do Parish Councils have with respect to planning applications?

 

The Parish Council is consulted by the Local Planning Authority on all planning applications. Any views expressed by the Parish Council will be taken into account by the Planning Authority before a decision is made, providing the points made are relevant to the determination of a planning application. However, the final decision is made by the Planning Authority, not the Parish Council.

 

Are councillors required to declare any financial or other personal interests?

 

Yes, all councillors have to abide by a Code of Conduct. They also have to declare relevant financial and other interests in a special Register that is open to inspection by the public.

 

The Register of Interests of Parish and District Councillors is held on Cotswold District Council – Parish Council – Somerford Keynes.