Dilwyn Parish Council
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A parish council is a type of local authority which is the lowest, or first, tier of local government.Parish councils have the power to precept (tax) their residents, as an element of the Council Tax, to support their operations and to carry out local projects. Although there is no limit to the amount that can be precepted, the money can only be raised for a limited number of purposes, defined in the Local Government Act 1894 and subsequent legislation.
The term of office of a parish councillor is for four years, and councils are elected en bloc. i.e. the full council is elected at one time.
In Dilwyn's case there are 12 councillors and elections usually take place at the same time as those for the Ward Councillor of Dilwyn's district of Herefordshire Council. Dilwyn's ward is Golden Cross with Weobley.

A candidate for a Parish or Town Council is qualified if, when nominated -

(a) he or she is a British citizen, Commonwealth citizen, citizen of the Irish Republic or a citizen of another European Union State.
(b) is 18 years of age, and
(c) is either in the list of electors for that Parish or Town or has during the whole
of the preceding twelve months
(i) occupied land as owner or tenant in it, or
(ii) had a principal place of work there, or
(iii) resided in or within three miles of it.

Uncontested elections

Where there are an equal number or fewer candidates than there are vacancies, all candidates are elected unopposed, and no election takes place.Where there are fewer candidates than vacant seats, the parish council has the duty to any person or persons to fill the vacancies. This power, however, may only be exercised if there is a quorum of councillors present and within 35 days of the election. If the parish council fails to fill the vacancies within this period, the district council may dissolve it and order fresh elections.

Contested elections

Where there are more candidates than vacancies, an election must be held under the bloc vote system.

Casual vacancies

Where a vacancy occurs during the term of a parish council, it may be filled by either election or cooption. Elections only occur if, following the advertisement of the vacancy for 14 days, 10 electors send a written request to the returning officer. If no request is received, the parish council will be required to fill the vacancies by cooption.

If the number of vacancies on the parish council is such that there is no longer a quorum, the district council may temporarily appoint persons to bring the council up to strength in the interval prior to an election.

Powers to provide facilities

Parish councils have powers to provide some facilities themselves, or they can contribute towards their provision by others. There are large variations in the services provided by parishes, but they can include the following:

  • Allotments
  • Support and encouragement of arts and crafts
  • Provision of village halls
  • Recreation grounds, parks, children's play areas, playing fields and swimming baths
  • Cemeteries and crematoria
  • Maintenance of closed churchyards
  • Cleaning and drainage of ponds etc.
  • Control of litter
  • Public conveniences
  • Creation and maintenance of footpaths and bridleways
  • Provision of cycle and motorcycle parking
  • Acquisition and maintenance of rights of way
  • Public clocks
  • War memorials
  • Encouragement of tourism

They may also provide the following subject to the consent of the county council or unitary authority of the area in which they lie:

  • Bus shelters
  • Signposting of footpaths
  • Lighting of footpaths
  • Off-street car parks
  • Provision, maintenance and protection of roadside verges

Representative powers

Parish councils must be notified by county council of:

  • All planning applications in their areas
  • Intention to provide a burial ground in the parish
  • Proposals to carry out sewerage works
  • Footpath and bridleway (more generally, 'rights of way') surveys
  • Intention to make byelaws in relation to hackney carriages, music and dancing, and street naming

Parish Clerk

Mrs Lynne Pugh
Deep Slade, Westhope, Hereford HR4 8BL
Tel 01432 830737
parish.clerk@dilwyn.com
click here for contact form

Ward Councillor

Councillor Mark Cooper (Conservative)
Tel: 01544 318001
mcooper2@herefordshire.gov.uk

Local MP

Bill Wiggin MP
North Herefordshire
Conservative.
Ass.Government Whip.

http://www.billwiggin.com/
logotrans2St Mary's C of E
Primary School
in-bloomDilwyn in Bloom
Dilwyn's community enhancing
In Bloom scheme.
websml2Dilwyn's History
Bringing Dilwyn's past to life from
Domesday to more recent times
Cedar Hall2The Cedar Hall is Dilwyn's community hall and is an excellent facility for wedding receptions and parties of any description, as well as for meetings, film show, etc. The rates are very competitive and compare most favourably with similar facilities elsewhere.
rbl logoRoyal British Legion
Dilwyn's RBL branch.
nhw logoNeighbourhood Watch
Dilwyn's NHW scheme.
Cedar Club
Dilwyn senior's afternoon club.
WI logoW.I.
Dilwyn's Womens Institute.
pgroupPlaygroup
Dilwyn Cedar Hall
Monday and Tuesday:
9:00am - 12:00pm
12:00 - 1:00pm (Lunch club)
1:00 - 3:00pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday and Friday:
9:00am - 12:00pm
12:00 - 1:00pm (Lunch club)
Suzy (Coordinator)
07975 994309