A Parish or Town Council for your Community?

Eastleigh Borough Council is currently considering the opportunity to establish parish/town councils to provide various services for the residents of Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury.

Many parts of our borough are already served by parish councils but Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury currently form the only non parished areas of the borough.

This is part of a public consultation seeking the views of local residents on whether you would like to have a parish/town council to serve your community.

At the beginning of November 2008 a postal poll will take place in which every adult living in Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury will receive a ballot form and have the chance to give their views on whether parish/town council(s) should be established.

What is it all about?

Eastleigh Borough Council is currently considering the opportunity to establish parish/town councils to provide various services for the residents of Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury.

What is a Parish/Town council?

• It is a separate third tier of local government which sits alongside the existing Borough Council and covers a local area.
• It does not replace the Borough or County Councils, but allows local people to have more say over local issues.
• It holds elections every four years to elect parish councillors who will regularly meet and decide how to undertake the parish council’s functions.
• It has powers to provide or maintain community facilities, including community centres, public open spaces, public conveniences, allotments, cemeteries, litter bins, bus shelters, and war memorials.
• It is able to comment and lobby on matters of interest to people in its area.
• It decides on its own budget, and sets its own Council Tax, alongside the County, Borough, Fire and Police payments.
• Some local services run by Eastleigh Borough Council could in future be run by the parish/town council.
• It could have access to financial resources that are not available to the other Councils which could be used to provide facilities in its area.

Perceived Advantages of Parish/Town Councils

• By taking on the management of local facilities such as play areas, public conveniences and open space there is a real opportunity to make a difference to the quality of life for local residents.
• A parish/town council can engage new people in local democracy without the burden of work or responsibility that comes with Borough and County roles.  Parish Councils may therefore enhance the existing democratic process.
• A parish/town council may be able to secure funding that is not accessible to existing Borough and County Councils.
• By identifying need and working in partnership with the Borough Council it may be possible to secure developers contributions toward open space and recreational facilities.
• Promotes informed debate around planning applications
• Enables appointment of representatives at primary schools.

Perceived Disadvantages of Parish/Town Councils

• Extra layer of bureaucracy.  Will local people appreciate the difference between county, borough and parish/town Councils?
• The additional Council will require premises and running costs and these costs will be met by local council tax payers.
• Overlaps role of existing Local Area committees which were introduced by Eastleigh in 1996 to ensure local people had a voice on local issues.
• The most contentious local issues are around planning applications and parish/town councils can only comment and not determine such applications.
• Securing an adequate level of public support will be a big challenge and the more seats that are required for a parish council, the more likely it is that there could be uncontested seats.
• Persistent failure to see the bigger picture and understand the wider needs of the area will reduce the effectiveness of the Council to work in partnership with others.

• The Local Government Ombudsman does not currently have jurisdiction over parish and town councils, so there is not the same redress for local residents (as there is with borough and county councils) if they have any complaints against the administration staff employed by local councils.

   

How is a Parish/Town council different to the Local Area Committee?

The Local Area Committee is part of Eastleigh Borough Council and ensures that decisions affecting local people are made by local people who understand the area. Some decisions, such as determination of planning applications cannot be made by parish/town councils although they are invited to comment on applications that affect their area.

Parish/town councils are not bound by the policies and strategies that are set by the Borough or County Council, but must operate within an established legal framework.

What area will it cover?

• That depends on the outcome of this consultation.
• The area could be divided between two or more parish councils.
• Alternatively, the situation could remain unchanged and the area left unparished.

How much will it cost?

Eastleigh Borough Council cannot advise exactly how much parish/town council tax you will pay as it is set by the parish/town council itself. In some areas with parish councils, taxes are lower, and in other they are higher, based on the decisions and activities of the elected parish/town council.

What happens next?

November 2008 – Postal Poll

January 2009 – Decision by Council

If initiative supported –

March/April 2010 – Nominations invited for candidates, council tax adjusted, elections and first meeting

How can I let you know my views?

Every adult resident will have the opportunity to vote on this when a ballot paper is hand delivered to you in November.

Where can I get more details?

You can speak to the Area Co-ordinator for:

Chandler’s Ford/Hiltingbury

Telephone: 023 8068 8438

Email: andy.milner@eastleigh.gov.uk

Eastleigh

Telephone: 023 8068 3369

Email: john.gasson@eastleigh.gov.uk

I am part of a community group. Will you come and talk to us about the proposals?

We would be pleased to speak to community groups as part of the consultation exercise. Telephone: 023 8068 8433 to check availability.

Please see presentation that has been given to several community groups by following this link:

• Parish Presentation  pdf