What does Hunston Parish Council do?

The Parish Council represents the people of Hunston at the lowest level of local government. Its responsibilities include the village hall (although this is managed day-to-day by the Village Hall Management Committee), recreation ground, children and young people's play facilities, litter control, bus shelters, helping prevent crime and consulting on planning applications. It also representsthe concerns and views of the villagers to higher levels of local government when necessary.

How does it do it?

It appoints a Clerk of the council to arrange and record meetings, and carry out administrative tasks. It meets monthly to discuss and progress issues concerning the village. It takes the actions necessary to 'make things happen'.

Money is raised to fulfil their tasks via the Parish Precept.

What do Parish Councillors do?

As a minimum, they attend most full Council meetings, held on the first Wednesday of every month, in the Main Hall of the village hall. There are also committees that meet, as required, to deal with urgent issues, liaise with outside bodies or to work on projects requiring more time than that available at full meetings.

A growing number of papers and reports are generated by various outside bodies. These are circulated to all councillors by the Clerk, so their comments can be collated and sent to the relevant body. Much of it requires reading, because it contains information or plans that may be against the future, best interests of the village and surrounding areas.

Occasionally councillors will be approached by villagers asking for help with their problems.

Who can become a Councillor?

Councillors must be 18 or over, a British, Commonwealth or EU member state citizen and to be a Parish Councillor for Hunston they must:-

- be a local government elector in the parish, or
- have owned or rented land in the parish for the last 12 months, or
- have lived within 3 miles of the parish for the last 12 months, or
- have worked in the parish for the last 12 months.

I don't do politics.

One of the advantages of operating at the first level of government and without pay, is that party politics just aren't relevant to the work that is done. The councillors offer their time and experience to improve the lot of the village and its inhabitants, within the limits of the resources, knowledge and skills available.

I want to become a Councillor.

A full council is elected every four years (next election May 2011). Sometimes a councillor will resign mid-term and a 'casual' vacancy will arise that is filled by co-opting someone. If anyone is interested, please contact the Clerk or any of the councillors for more details..