General
A: We are the level of government closest to the community with
the district authority (Wealden District Council) above us in the hierarchy. We
make decisions on behalf of the residents in the parish.
There is no real difference between a parish and town
council, although the latter tend to be larger. They both have the same powers
and can provide the same services. The only difference is that a town council
has decided that it should be known as a town council instead of a parish
council. The Chair of a town council is the mayor.
There are around 9,000 parish and town councils representing
around 16 million people across England.
A: The ED&F Parish Council is non-political.
Our nine councillors are elected to represent the ED&F
parish as a whole (larger councils may be split into 'wards'). Councillors
are elected by the residents of the parish, with elections
taking place every four years (unless there is a casual vacancy). Councillors
stand down at the end of the four-year term but may stand for re-election. The
next full election will be in May 2019.
A: The parish council has an overall responsibility for the
well-being of the local community. Our work falls into three main
categories i) representing the local community; ii) delivering services to meet
local needs; iii) striving to improve quality of life in the parish. Take a look here to see some of the activities we are involved with
A: Activities undertaken by the Parish Council, District Council,
County Council and others. The listing
does not cover every item but does provide an indication of who does
what.
A: Each year after setting our budget we advise Wealden Distict
Council and they collect the required amount, called the ‘precept’,
via the council tax. They pay over the precept to us in two equal
instalments in April and September. We use this money to
improve facilities and services and to run the Council. If necessary we
can apply for grants and loans for specific needs.
A: Parish Council Meetings (PCM's) are held in
the small village hall on the first Thursday of the month (except
September) starting at 6.30pm. The Planning Committee is held on the third
Tuesday of every month (unless there is no business to discuss) and starts at
6.30pm. All Council and Committee meetings start with a public session, and
agendas will be posted on this website at least three working days in
advance.
A: Most certainly. The public and the press are very welcome to
attend any of our Council or Committees meetings. They all start with a public
session (up to 15 minutes unless extended by the meeting Chair) at which
members of the public can make comments or ask questions. Ideally subjects
raised in the public session should be related to items on the meeting agenda.
Once the public session is closed, the public can no longer participate in the
meeting (unless agreed by the meeting Chair) but are very welcome to listen in.
A: There are several ways:-
a) by using the CONTACT US
b) by telephoning the Parish Clerk on 01323 811870
c) by emailing or telephoning an individual councillor
directly. d) by coming along to a monthly Council or Committee meeting
e by visiting us at the coffee morning held from 10am
on the last Thursday of the month (usually) in the Village Hall
f) in writing to:-
East Dean and Friston Parish Council
The Old Cottage
Lewes Road
Laughton
BN8 6BQ
A: The Parish Council is made up of nine councillors who meet monthly
to make decisions on the work and direction of the council. As an elected body,
the Parish Council is an “it” and, through its councillors, is responsible to
the people it represents – that’s the local community. Attending a council meeting
is the best way to find out what it does (anyone can attend) plus - take a look
at the other pages on this website.
A: To become a councillor there are a few basic rules; you have to be
i) a British citizen, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union;
ii) 18 years or older; iii) live or work in or near the parish. As a councillor
you become a voice for the community and affect real change. It helps if you're
a "people person" who enjoys talking to other residents but, more
importantly, you need to have the concerns and best interests of the parish as
a whole at heart. Councillors are community leaders and should represent the
aspirations of the public that they serve.
On average, the role of councillor takes less than a couple
of hours a week. Obviously there are some councillors who spend more time than
this – and some less, but in the main, being a parish councillor is an
enjoyable way of contributing to your community and helping to make it a better
place to live and work. Council meetings are always held in the evening – as
are most meetings of the other groups which councillors attend on the Council’s
behalf.
Talking and listening to your fellow parishioners can be
done at any time but you must be able to spend a couple of hours once a month
on a Thursday evening attending the Council meeting.
A: All Parish and Town Councils throughout England are required by
law to hold an Annual Parish Meeting which must take place between 1 March and
1 June. It is not a Parish Council meeting but a meeting of the local
electorate to discuss and hear about local issues. Over the past few years the
ED&F Village Meeting has been attended by over 100 residents each year in
the village hall.