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Wherstead Parish Council
A Parish Council is the most locally elected body within the English system of local government. Most were formed by the Local Government Act in 1894 and they look after the interests of those who live within the parish. They have a wide range of powers at their disposal including giving grants to local organisations, promoting tourism, cleaning public places and providing recreational areas such as playing fields and village halls. The most important role is as a statutory consultee on planning matters. The Local Planning Authority has to consult the Council on all Planning Applications within the Parish boundary.
More information on local councils in England, the role of local councillors and what you need to do if you would like to stand as a candidate in local parish or town council elections is available in the Booklets and Resources section on the National Association of Local Councils web site.
The Parish Council Represents Your Community
The Council acts as a representative for the community, acting on its behalf and helping to influence decision makers at Babergh District Council and Suffolk County Council, for example:
- By reviewing and responding to all planning applications that impact the parish, whether within our parish or in a neighbouring one
- Liaising with other local councils
- Discussing issues raised by residents with all members of the community, including local business and land owners
Recently, we have been in contact with the Designing-out Crime team at Suffolk Police to ensure that planning principles to reduce anti-social behaviour are applied early on in development planning for any sized development, including the potential service area at junction 56 of the A137 and A14
We have ensured that construction traffic that will be working on the re-development of Park Farm Barns will be directed to use the currently un-adopted road, reducing the traffic stress on The Street
Wherstead Parish Council is the first tier of a three tier system of local government, with Babergh District Council, (in this area) and Suffolk County Council being the next two tiers, all elected by people within the region.
Our Babergh District Councillors is Daniel Potter for Orwell Ward
Our Suffolk Councillor is Christopher Hudson (click on their names for their contact details)
Wherstead Parish Council has seven members elected every four years. Being a Parish Councillor is a voluntary position; councillors receive no payment but they are entitled to receive allowances when they carry out certain "approved duties" outside of the Parish.