Kimpton Parish Council is a local authority found in England which is the lowest, or first, tier of local government. It is an elected body made up of parish councillors who serve for a four year term. Our Parish Council has six members, the names of which are given below.
Kimpton Parish Council Members
The current Councillors are:
Gregory Michalczyk (Chairman)
Niall MacGinnis
Judy Hart
Paula Nelson
Ben Girling
Our Parish Clerk is Mel Taylor.
We currently have one Parish Councillor vacancy and would like to hear from villagers who would like to become Councillors.
Elections
When a vacancy arises during the term of a council it may be filled by either election or co-option. 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 co-option.
When there are more vacancies than candidates, all candidates are elected unopposed, and no poll is taken. Where there are an equal number or fewer candidates than there are more candidates than vacancies, a poll must be held.
Powers and Duties.
Our Parish Council has the power to precept (tax) residents to support its 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.
Powers to provide facilities.
Parish Councils have powers to provide some facilities, which 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
Representative powers
Our Parish Council must be notified by the district or county council of:
- All planning applications in our Parish
- Proposals to carry out sewerage works
- Footpath and bridleway (more generally, ‘rights of way’) surveys
- Intention to make byelaws in relation to music and dancing and street naming
Councillor responsibilities
Planning
Cllr Nelson
Footpaths
Cllr Hart
Highways & Environment
Cllr Girling
External Liaison
Pillhill Pan Parish Forum
Gregory Michalczyk
Thruxton & District Protection Society
Niall MacGinnis