Wickmere Parish Council

The Parish Council

The Role of a Councillor

Parish Councillors (also known as Members) serve a four year term of office. The Council has a wide range of powers which essentially relate to local matters, such as looking after community buildings, open spaces and common land, and to overall manage the parish assets.

Local Councils are the first tier of governance and are the first point of contact for anyone concerned with a community issue. They are democratically elected local authorities and exist in England, Wales and Scotland. The term 'Local Council' is synonymous with ' Parish Council, 'Town Council' and 'Community Council'.

Local Councils are made up of locally elected Councillors. They are legally obliged to hold at least four meetings a year. Most meet on a monthly cycle to discuss council business and hear from local residents. District and County Councillors regularly attend parish meetings and report at the Annual Parish meeting. Councillors are expected to attend meetings on a regular basis.

Parish Council Register of Interests

All Parish Councillors are required by law to complete a register of interest form to register their Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and the Disclosable Pecuniary Interests of their spouses or civil partners or persons with whom they live in that capacity. Guidance – Openness and transparency on personal interests: guidance for councillors

Our Councillors’ Register of Members’ Disclosable Pecuniary Interests can be found on North Norfolk District Council’s website.

The Parish Council

Wickmere Parish Council is a democratically elected local authority, the first level of local government and the first point of contact for anyone concerned with a community issue. It is made up of seven locally elected councillors who meet every two months to discuss council business and hear from local residents.

Except in certain circumstances, Council meetings are open to the public. Members of the public may speak to the Council when the meeting is adjourned to take their comments

The council represents and serves the whole community. It decides how money will be raised and spent on behalf of the community and is responsible for spending public money lawfully and achieving the best value for money. The council is responsible for any services it provides.

District and County councillors have a standing invitation to attend parish council meetings so they can report back on developments at parish level. They are invited to report at the Annual Parish Meeting.