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“What is a Parish Council?”

Parish councils are the lowest tier of government. The parish council is responsible for a parish, a small area enclosing one community. It is no longer anything to do with the church although it once was.

If the community is sufficiently large the council may be called a town council, rather than a parish council but its responsibilities and powers are the same. The next tier above the parish council is the district council,  West Berkshire Council, which covers a much wider area. The parish can get money from its residents in the form of a ‘precept’ which is added to the amounts requested by the district council and the police and fire authority. It is then collected by the district council in the council tax.

WHAT DOES PURLEY ON THAMES PARISH COUNCIL DO?

The Council has limited powers but a reasonable amount of influence. Here are some examples:

The planning authority is West Berkshire Council, but it sends details of every planning application within the parish to the Parish Council for comments and will take into account the Parish Council’s views when coming to a decision.

West Berkshire Council is the highway authority, but it consults the Council when it is considering any road scheme, for example placing double yellow lines or speed restrictions.

Purley on Thames Parish Council is directly responsible for providing the following services to the village:

  • Play areas throughout the village for all ages – including the provision, regular inspection and maintenance of play equipment
  • Recreation facilities ( well used by the tennis club, bowling club, cricket and football clubs)
  • The Barn – a community centre at Goosecroft Recreation Ground
  • Allotments – the council owns land for the provision of allotments which parishioners can rent
  • Bus shelters and benches
  • Litter and dog litter bins (the district council empties)
  • Grit bins ( the Parish Council fills)
  • Burial ground
  • Maintenance of small bits of land around the village  and others, such as Pikeshaw woodland , Bucknells Meadow (the field by the river next to Mapledurham Drive) and Goosecroft Recreation Ground
  • Comments on planning applications
  • Small grants for local organisations
  • Church clock

The Council has other powers and duties and the Clerk is often able to assist with local issues.

The Council takes the lead in getting many things done in the village. It works in partnership with West Berkshire Council, Neighbourhood Action Group,  Thames Valley Police and others.

It also has an active Flood Protection Plan and has appointed volunteer Flood Wardens to assist during a flood emergency.

WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE PARISH COUNCIL MEET?

The Barn

The Council normally meets in the Small Barn located at the Goosecroft Recreation Ground. There are thirteen councillors plus the Clerk, Administrative Clerk and Amenities Officer, who are paid employees. The Chairman of the Council is currently Graham Rolfe.

The full council meets every five to six weeks. There are also six committees comprising Recreation, Highways & Footpaths, Barn & Burial Ground, Planning, Finance & Governance and Goosecroft Development.

The Council meeting is held at 7.00pm and committee meetings at 7.00pm in the Small Barn. Planning meetings are held at 6:00pm usually in the Large Barn. All meetings are open to the general public. You have no right to speak during the meeting but there is always an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting for the public to speak or ask a question.

Guidance for members of the public on what to expect when attending formal Parish Council Meetings.

Agendas for past and future meetings and minutes of past meetings can be found on the Council website: www.purleyonthames-pc.gov.uk

The originals can be viewed in the Parish Office by appointment. The Council has a publication scheme under the Freedom of Information Act and most documents, if available, can be viewed.

HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PARISH COUNCIL?

The names and telephone numbers of all parish councillors can be found on this website, using the ‘Councillors’ button.

The Clerk can be reached in the following ways

Address: Parish Office, Goosecroft Lane, Purley on Thames RG8 8BW

Or send us an email using our contact form

Website: www.purleyonthames-pc.gov.uk

Phone: 0118 984 4507

Booking forms for the Barn are available on the website. Other requests must be sent to the Clerk.

The Amenities Officer is responsible for Barn bookings.

The Parish Council has a notice board for official notices and some local notices (space permitting) at the following sites: 

  1. In Goosecroft playground
  2. In bus stop layby just past Nursery Gardens roundabout
  3. At end of Mapledurham Drive
  4. Colyton Way Shop
  5. Outside The social club/The Mad Duck in the Lower Village
  6. At the entrance to the Purley Beeches woods by the Roebuck Hotel
  7. In Pikeshaw Woods
  8. Opposite Long Lane Infant School – Orchard Close
  9. In playground in Clarendon Rise
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