Warning: Undefined array key "options" in /customers/e/e/d/tankersleypc.org/httpd.www/wp-content/plugins/elementor-pro/modules/theme-builder/widgets/site-logo.php on line 102 How Parish Meetings Work - Tankersley Parish Council Barnsley

In civil parishes such as Tankersley there are two sorts of meetings:

Parish Council Meetings: these are meetings of the elected and coopted councillors of the parish.  They have a wide range of powers, including raising money through the precept and spending on potentially a wide range of activities.  Members of the public can attend selected parts of meetings and may be invited to ask questions and raise matters of concern, but they cannot vote on any motions.

Parish Meetings: these are meetings open to all members of the parish.  They are essentially talking shops and have no executive powers.  They are not Parish Council meetings though there are some links between the two.

Ecclesiastical parishes are quite distinct and usually have different boundaries from civil parishes.

 

Who can call a parish meeting?  A meeting can be called by (a) the Chair of the Parish Council, or (b) two Parish Councillors for the parish or (c) and six local government electors for the parish.

How often can parish meetings take place? Meetings can take place as many times as desired.  However, there must be one called by the parish council to take place between 1 March and 1 May.  This is usually referred to as the annual parish meeting.

Notice for a parish meeting: At least seven days notice must be given for a parish meeting noting the time and place for the meeting and the business to be conducted.

Who chairs a parish meeting? the Chair of the Parish Council, if present, shall preside at a parish meeting so long as they are residents of the Parish.
If  they are absent the vice-chair (if any) if a resident of the Parish, shall, if present, preside.  If both are absent then those present may appoint one of their number to take the chair.

Who can attend a parish meeting?  Anyone can attend a meeting but only those who are local government electors in the parish may vote in any motion.

What can be discussed at a parish meeting?  Anything affecting the parish can be discussed.  At the annual parish meeting the parish council usually gives an account of its actions over the last year and plans for the future.  However, anything relevant to the parish such as the state of roads, housing developments and so on can be discussed.

Can votes be taken? Votes can be taken on on any ‘question’.  For instance the meeting might decide to ask the principle local authority (e.g. BMBC) to give a timetable for the repair of roads in the parish.  As an extreme case the parish meeting might vote against a proposal of the Parish Council, though the Parish Council can choose to ignore the vote

The above is a simple summary of how legislation affects Tankersley Parish Meetings.  It is based on Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act (1972).