We manage local services, facilities like allotments and green spaces, and represent residents’ views on issues like planning applications, working with Central Bedfordshire Council for the overall well-being of the community.
Meppershall Parish Council needs a new team member.
If you think you would like to join the Parish Council team contact the Clerk on 07480 251746 or email clerk@meppershall-pc.gov.uk
The Parish Council meets on the second Monday of every month at 7pm, and members of the public are welcome to attend.
Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) Unitary Authority administers the village within the Parliamentary constituency of Mid-Bedfordshire. The CBC offices are off the Ampthill Road at Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, SG17 5TQ; telephone: 0300 300 8301.
The Parish of St Mary’s Meppershall comes under the Diocese of St Albans.
A Parish Council is the smallest localised tier of local government, and is a properly constituted local authority. It consists of elected representatives of the Parish, who voluntarily take on the role of councillors.
The powers and duties, and the manner in which a Parish Council operates are set out in local government statute and regulations. Usually, Parish Councils are responsible for the provision of village services, e.g. in the case of Meppershall: grass cutting, allotments, recreation areas, play equipment etc.
The Parish Council raises funds via the annual Precept, which is set in January of each year. The Precept is the total amount raised through council tax payments, collected by Central Bedfordshire Council, from all the dwellings within the Parish area to help support Parish Council services and activities. The Council also raises funds by through grants from other organisations.
What is a councillor?
What do councillors do?
Councillors have three main components to their work:
These responsibilities and duties often depend on what the councillor wants to achieve and how much time is available, and may include:
How much time does it take up?
About an hour a week although some spend more time than this – and some less.
Skills and training
You will be supported in your role and will be expected to undertake some training. You should be comfortable working electronically. You should have a positive outlook and a can-do attitude and be willing to work as part of a team.
Benefits
An enjoyable way of contributing to village life and helping to make Meppershall a better place to live and work.
Meppershall Parish Council has ten Councillors. The work of the members of the Council is voluntary, and the councillors give their time freely to help enhance the village and support the village’s other organisations, for the benefit of all residents.
The Parish Council exists to represent the views of all its residents, their ideas and suggestions for improvements in the village. We have two employees:
The Council owns some green spaces (Old Road Meadow Nature Reserve and Centenary Field) and rents allotments on a leasehold section of land, off Fildyke Road.
Meppershall Parish Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the values of the Meppershall community and to enhancing the quality of village life and pride in Meppershall.
The Council normally meets on the second Monday of each month but please check our published meeting dates. The meetings always start at 19:00.
Prior to each meeting, the Agenda can be viewed on the Council Notice Board and this website. Members of the public and press are welcome to attend any Council meeting. A period of fifteen minutes is set aside during each meeting for anyone attending to ask questions of the Council or raise any queries or concerns that they feel the Council could assist with.
