Your Council

An open council

Embsay with Eastby Parish Council is part of the three tiers of local government which comprise parish and town council, district and county council. There are 9 councillors elected every four years. Vacancies between elections are normally filled through a co-option procedure, Councillors are unpaid but have the services of a part time (30 hours per month) Clerk to the Council (Parish Clerk).

The Council meets in public 12 times a year. A period of public questions or suggestions is allowed at the start of each meeting. There is also a Parish Meeting held each Spring which provides the local electorate with a summary of the year’s activities. Notice of meetings is displayed on the parish notice board outside the village hall one week before the meeting and draft and unconfirmed minutes of the meetings are displayed on the Council web site and are available in the Embsay Library.

The Parish Council has the powers to raise income by means of the precept levied on households in the town. This is collected together with the Council Tax by Craven District Council. The Parish Council precept and expenditure is monitored annually by independent auditors.

Powers

The Parish Council has a wide range of powers which it can exercise but not all are appropriate to a parish of this size.

Functions and responsibilities

The various functions of local government in England are carried out by different levels of organisation. They play a significant role in the local community. In Yorkshire, the parish council is the “third tier” of local government – the “grass roots” level of local democracy.

Embsay with Eastby Parish Council falls within an area administered by Craven District Council. It, in turn, falls within an area administered by North Yorkshire County Council.

All of these organisations have different responsibilities. Although all are part of the local government system and enjoy close working relationships, each organisation is an independent and autonomous statutory authority in its own right.

The duties of the Parish Council – the functions which it must carry out – are limited, but its powers – the areas where discretion to act if it chooses – are wide. As well as taking direct action in a number of areas, the Council responds to many consultation papers from other bodies and agencies on matters of importance to local residents and businesses. In addition, councillors are appointed to represent the Council on a number of local and district organisations. Since its inception, the Parish Council has assumed responsibility from Craven District Council for a number of activities and services. In addition, it addresses many issues and problems and takes appropriate action.

Council services

Allotments

Manages two allotment sites in Embsay and Eastby

Recreation Ground

Co-ordinates and manages a village recreation ground for young people.

Community Matters

Administers a Council web site and public notice boards, produces a Council newsletter and publishes an Annual Report

Consultation

Conducts monthly surgeries to better understand the needs and interests of local people and reviews information and comments on a wide range of issues affecting the villages. Coordinates an Annual Parish Meeting involving local electors to report on previous years activities and receive comments, criticisms and suggestions.

Planning

Comments on local and strategic plans, planning applications and tree preservation order applications.

Environment

Contracts the services of a Village Lengthsman to undertake local community maintenance, repairs, gardening and supplementary (to that of the District Council) litter and grass cutting activities.

Nature Reserve

Coordinates the provision of a nature reserve within the village of Embsay

Charitable Trust

Coordinates and oversees a local charitable trust (Bolland and Colton Charitable Trust) which addresses the needs of deserving residents and organisations.

Grants

Provides small grants, upon application, to local organisations and groups to help support local activities and services.

Membership of the Council

Embsay with Eastby Parish Council is made up of 9 councillors. Each year, members elect a Chairman of the Council who presides at Council meetings.

Councillors remain on the Council for a four year term of office to represent local electors. All councillors must be locally resident (live or work in the villages). They receive no remuneration and are all volunteers who willingly give their time and skills for the benefit of the villages.

Unlike district and county councillors, parish councillors bring no political party allegiances to their work. All Council business is strictly controlled by a national Code of Conduct. Councillors must declare in writing any personal and financial interests and abstain from debating on matters in which they may be regarded as having a prejudicial interest.

Working parties of the council

Allotments Working Party

  • Cllr Peter Gallagher
  • Cllr Trevor Kent
  • Cllr Mark Wilson

Nature Reserve Working Party

  • Cllr Bryan Hume
  • Cllr Stella Kirkbride
  • Cllr Ian Snelling

Personnel Working Party

  • Cllr Bryan Hume
  • Cllr Stella Kirkbride
  • Cllr Gill Quinn

Recreation Ground Working Party

  • Cllr Peter Gallagher
  • Cllr Trevor Kent
  • Cllr Ian Snelling
  • Cllr Mark Wilson

Road Safety Working Party

  • Cllr Bryan Hume
  • Cllr Stella Kirkbride
  • Cllr Gill Quinn

Strategic Plan Working Party

  • Cllr Hazel Chatwin
  • Cllr Mark Wilson

Youth Working Party

  • Cllr Hazel Chatwin
  • Cllr Trevor Kent
  • Cllr Stella KirKbride
  • Cllr Gill Quinn

Outside bodies representatives (2010/11)

Bolland and Colton Charitable Trust

  • Cllr Peter Gallagher
  • Cllr Bryan Hume
  • Cllr Trevor Kent
  • Cllr Ian Snelling
  • Simon Smith
  • Janine Hogben

Little Red Bus

  • Cllr Hazel Chatwin
  • Cllr Trevor Kent

Yorkshire Local Councils Associations

  • Cllr Trevor Kent

Village Hall Management Committee

  • Cllr Hazel Chatwin

 

2009 © Embsay with Eastby Parish Council