The Council
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Southill Parish Council
Southill Parish Council represents around 900 electors, with about 450 of those resident in the Broom ward, slightly fewer than 250 in the Southill ward, and about 200 in the Stanford ward.
The Council exists to discuss the affairs of the local community. Compared to many parish councils, Southill has limited powers as it does not have any allotments or cemeteries to maintain.
The Council works very closely with the other tier of local government, Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC), with particular regard to Highway matters and Planning decisions.
Highway maintenance issues are referred by the Parish to CBC and various improvements have been made over recent years by the Parish Council's involvement in the CBC's Parish Partnership Scheme. The Parish Council also liaises with CBC regarding grass cutting of verges and other areas.
Although CBC is the Planning Authority, the Parish Council makes its views known on the planning applications within the local area and in many instances applications can be refused if the Parish Council has objections.
The Parish Council does have responsibility for the village green and bus shelter in Broom and has recently taken on responsibility for the new play equipment in Southill. It also works very closely with Stanford Playing Field Association and has often grant aided various projects for them, as it also has the village halls at Southill and Broom.
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Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) deal with specific matters relating to the Parish and that fall within the scope of Parish Council business. SIGs do not, unless specifically minuted, have delegated powers. All decisions, actions, etc. should be approved by the full Council.
A list of Councillors involved with each Special Interest Group is available from the Councillors page. Reports of SIGs' activites are recorded in the minutes of Parish Council meetings
- Communications
Creates and implements plans to keep the community informed and engaged about the council's business. Uses appropriate channels for communications (e.g. notice boards, local press, web site, parish newsletter)
- Ivel Parish Forum
A consultative body which draw together representatives of all tiers of local government (Unitary Authority and Parish/Town Councils) along with other partners in the community. Meetings are held in public and focus on community needs and concerns.
- Crime & Police
Liaison with Bedfordshire Police on concerns around local crime, crime prevention, etc.
- Finance
Looks at the detail of all invoices and payments, etc. before ratification by Council. It also works on the precept (led by the Clerk) and presents its recommendations to Council. In addition, it is responsible for terms and conditions of employment for the Clerk.
- Grants Applications
Liaison with grant funding bodies enabling the Parish Council to meet extra financial costs of improving facilities within the Parish. The Parish Council can also provide grants from it's own budget for appropriate causes/activities.
- Grass Cutting
Maintenance of Broom Village Green and other public spaces.
- Halls and Playing Fields
The Parish Council contributes toward the upkeep and improvement of Broom Village Hall, Southill Village Hall, and some playing fields.
- Highways - Repair & Maintenance
The Parish Council liaises with the County Council on concerns around general maintainance of highways within the Parish. This might include issues such as damaged/deteriorated road surfaces, winter salting, management of grass verges, etc.
- John Maynard and Frances Smyth Charity
The objects of the charity are "Relieving either generally or individually persons resident in the area of the ancient parish of Southill who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress by making grants of money or providing or paying for items, services or facilities calculated to reduce the need, hardship or distress of such persons."
- Local Development
Looks at any consultation documents or proposals that might be brought forward by the District and County Councils.
- Notice Boards
The Parish Council has responsibility for the provision and upkeep of public notice boards at Broom, Southill and Stanford.
- Planning
The District Council is required to inform the Parish Council of any planning applications arising within the Parish. The Parish Council may comment on those, which comments are noted by the Planning Authority when considering applications.
- Public Transport
Liaising with other tiers of local government regarding provision of public transport within the Parish. The Parish Council takes responsibility for the provision and maintenance of bus shelters.
- Quarry
To work with such individuals, groups, firms and Councils as have an interest in quarrying activities in the Parish of Southill, to seek to minimise the adverse impact of said activities on the Parish and to maximise benefits to the Parish. This remit includes all current and future quarries within the Parish.
- Rights of Way/Footpaths
Monitored by the group, and any problems reported to the County.
- School
The Parish Council's connection with the Southill Lower School is a liaison exercise to report back any problems to the Parish Council and update them on progress, development, etc. of the school.
- Trees
Planting, maintenance, and addressing concerns around public safety.
- Web Site
Management and development of the Parish Council's web site according to agreed guidelines.
- Young People and Leisure
Looks at any consultation documents or proposals that might be brought forward by the District and County Councils.
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The Warding System
The Southill Parish Council is one of a few in the country which has a warding system for its Councillors.
The Council has six seats for Broom, three for Southill and three for Stanford. The seats are allocated on a pro rata basis according to the number of registered electors in each ward. The current allocation was set for the 2007 election following a review in 2006.
It is not imperative that Councillors reside within the ward they represent, indeed councillors may live outside the Parish providing that their normal place of residence is within three miles of the Parish.
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Finance
The majority of the Parish Council’s income is derived from an annual charge, the precept, on local electors to cover its costs. It is set each year by the Council as part of its annual budget setting process and is collected on the Parish’s behalf by CBC.
Parish Councils can also seek financial support via grant funding for specific projects. Investing money from the precept toward specific projects such as traffic calming or establishing recreational areas for example, can unlock further and significant grant funding to enable the project to be realised.
The Council is required to have an annual audit of its accounts. This is currently undertaken by Lubbock Fine, Chartered Accountants.
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