What is the Parish Council?
Town and Parish councils are the very first level of local government. They provide communities with a democratic voice and a structure for taking community action. There are about 9,000 Parish, and Town councils across England, and over 16 million people live in communities served by them.
What does the Parish Council do?
Parish Councils are Statutory Bodies, having powers under a number of different Acts (the Local Government Act 1972, the Public Health Act 1936, etc.). Only a few Councils need to use all their available powers. It is up to each Council to choose what is appropriate for the community they serve.
The Council raises funds through the annual Precept set in January of each year. The amount required is guided by the setting of the annual budget in the preceding November.
The Parish Council precept is added to the Council Tax bill and collected by Amber Valley Borough Council (on behalf of the Parish Council).
The Council also raises funds through grants from other organisations.
How is the Parish Council run?
Parish Councils are different to other local authorities such as Borough or County Councils in that there is no leader; instead, Parish Councils are run in a committee style of governance whereby all Parish Councillors meet together throughout the year in order to discuss and agree on the policies and actions of the Council. Members of the public can attend these meetings to ask questions.
The day-to-day running of the Council is administered by the Parish Clerk, who acts as the Council’s Chief Administrative Officer and the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer. The Clerk also advises Councillors on matters of procedure and law and carries out the agreed-upon decisions of the Council.
How do I become a Parish Councillor?
There are currently three ways to become a Parish Councillor. The first way is to stand at the next ordinary election, which takes place every four years (currently scheduled to take place on the 4th of May 2023). Secondly, if a councillor resigns or a seat otherwise becomes vacant, members of the public can make a request within 14 days that a by-election takes place. And thirdly, should a by-election not be called by local residents, the Parish Council may co-opt a member by a simple majority vote at a council meeting.
Current Councillors
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| nAME | eLECTED | PARISH | CONTACT | docs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VACANCT | Idridgehay | VACANCT | N/A | |
| Cllr Jane Smith | Ashleyhay | 01629 825229 | Open | |
| Cllr Eric Matkin | May 2014 | Idridgehay | 01773 550534 | Open |
| Cllr Mike Westbrooke | Jan 2014 | Idridgehay | 01773 550403 | Open |
| Cllr Carl Hempshall | Idridgehay | 07534 898 455 | Open | |
| Cllr Dudley Ibbett | Idridgehay | 01629 822670 | Open | |
| Cllr Philip Brooks | Ashleyhay | 07495 615549 | Open |
Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer (RFO)
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| NAME | APPOINTED | CONTACT |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Matthew Evans | July 2022 | Contact |
Former Councillors
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| Name | Joined | left | reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr. R. Tatler | Mar 2024 | Passed Away | |
| Cllr. J. Matthews | May 2014 | Jun 2022 | Resigned |
| Cllr. F. White | May 2018 | Passed Away | |
| Cllr. V. Taylor | Feb 2014 | Resigned | |
| Cllr. A. Gregory | Feb 2014 | Resigned | |
| Cllr. D Taylor | |||