Parish Council
Enstone parish council is a type of local authority with specific statutory functions and powers. Unlike other types of local authorities, there are relatively few statutory functions imposed on it. However, the few statutory functions are important and relate to, for example, the holding of meetings, the management of its finances and the preparation of annual accounts.
Like other types of local authorities, the parish council has obligations in the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.
How we Operate
Enstone Parish Council provides a handbook as a guide to the duties of councillors. This handbook has been designed to provide some background information for Parish Councillors, elected and co-opted, outlining their role and duties. It is also to provide information that can be given to the public to help them better understand the role of the Council, Councillors and Clerk and responsible Financial Officer. Enstone Parish Council Handbook Oct 23
Most decisions about what the Enstone parish council does are taken at meetings by its councillors. Some of the work is delegated to a smaller group of councillors (i.e. a committee or sub-committee) or the clerk.
Although the public has a right to attend meetings of the council and its committees, it is the councillors who collectively make decisions about council business and what services or facilities it provides. These are driven by the demands of the residents who live in the parish and are identified by listening and consultation.
Parish Council Funding
The local council must carefully budget for the expenditure it will incur in the next financial year.
The main source of income for the parish council derives from the precept levied on the residents. The precept is incorporated into the local resident’s council tax bill. Other income is raised from rent of the sports field.
Areas of Responsibility
Enstone parish has statutory powers in relation to:
- Sports facilities
- Local youth projects
- Litter bins
- Parish Hall
- Community transport schemes
- Crime reduction measures
- Festivals and fetes
- Tourism activities
- Allotments
- Bus shelters
- Neighbourhood Planning
- Street lighting
- Traffic calming measures
Privacy Policy Certification
We need to know basic data in order to provide a service and any personal data we process is processed by our officers for the purpose of Parish Council business. We will not collect any personal data from you we do not need in order to provide and oversee this service to you. The certificate to operate under GDPR is below and there is a separate privacy policy section.
Member Code of Conduct
The Council has a duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members and co-opted members of the Council, and formally adopt a code of conduct, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011. . For a pdf copy of the Councillors Code of Conduct 2022 click here
Enstone Parish Council Biodiversity Action Plan 2024
Click here for PDF version download
Background and Context
Under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, public authorities in England, including Parish Councils, are required to consider conserving biodiversity as part of their policy or decision-making.
Biodiversity has declined dramatically in recent decades, with almost one in six species now at risk of becoming extinct in Great Britain, and 12% in Northern Ireland. Despite this, Enstone Parish is privileged to host nine Local Wildlife Sites and there are three main landscape types within the parish:
- Farmland Plateau
- Wooded Estate lands
- Wooded Pasture Valleys and Slopes
This provides both a responsibility and an opportunity to conserve and enhance these habitats which the Parish Council supports both in its statutory duty and support of the community.
The Parish Council wishes to make a special note and thank Enstone Eco for their hard work and support in creating this Plan, supporting the Parish Council’s biodiversity goal, and encouraging positive change in the community.
Plan Objectives
- Protect and Enhance Habitats: encourage safeguarding existing wildlife sites and implement restoration projects.
- Community Engagement: Foster local involvement with volunteers and business partnerships.
- Sustainable Practices: Encourage eco-friendly activities in the community, including knowledge sharing, and reduce harmful practices.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Support the regular assessment of monitoring and reporting of key sites within the Parish through community groups.
Community Involvement
Community support is crucial and an action plan will facilitate and guide the community on initiatives and ideas they can get involved in. The Parish needs volunteers to support practical activities and help sustain the work done so far. Funding opportunities are available through government initiatives and local businesses that have shown interest in sponsoring projects. By working together, we can increase biodiversity within the Parish and improve the wellbeing of our community.
Monitoring
This plan will be reviewed every two years. This will include publishing a summary of how the policy has progressed and realigned goals for the following year.