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The Parish Council What is a Parish Council? The Parish Council is the most ancient type of local government and has been used for civil purposes since the 8th Century. All persons living in the Parish and who are over the age of 18 years old should be registered on the Roll of Electors if they wish to vote in elections or stand as a Parish Councillor. The Parish Council of Thorpe Morieux is made up of 7 Councillors who are elected every 4 years. The Chairman of the Parish Council is elected each year at the Annual Parish Meeting. The Parish Clerk is appointed by the serving Councillors and also acts as Finance Officer. Our Parish Council meets 6 times a year with the Annual Parish Meeting usually being held in April or May of each year. All Council Meetings are open to the Public and Press but are not allowed to address Council unless approved. The Annual Parish Meeting is the one event of the year when the Public are allowed to address the Meeting freely on any issue concerning the Parish with permission from the Chair and according to the Agenda. The duties of a Parish Council The role of the Parish Council is that of the Local Authority which is the nearest elected body to the Electors and today there is a trend for more decisions to be taken at a local level. The Council has to act on matters that are brought to it's notice via a Councillor or direct from an Elector under the powers granted to it. These matters could also come from the County or District Councils concerning the Parish as a whole. It has the responsibility also of keeping the County and District Councils informed as to action required in respect of highways, footpaths and drainage problems. It has to respond and give its comments on Planning Applications. It has also the responsibility of upkeep of Parish owned equipment. It can also make a contribution under its powers to any projects which are for the benefit of the Parish. The funding of the Parish Council is derived from a precept from the District Council which is derived from the Council Tax for each household. The Budget for this is considered and approved each year. Brief History of Thorpe Morieux Parish Council Thorpe Morieux Parish Council was formed at an
initial meeting held in The School on 4th December 1894 chaired by Robert Chinery (
Overseer ). The current Chairman is Mr. Keith Lee and the current Clerk is Alan Morgan. The District Councillor for the North Cosford Ward of Babergh District Council is Clive Arthey and his email address is: clive.arthey@babergh.gov.uk The County Councillor for our area of Suffolk County Council is Jeremy Pembroke The email address for the Clerk to the Parish Council is theparishclerk@thorpe-morieux.org.uk |