How the Council Works

At Burlescombe Parish Council, our primary objectives are to represent and serve the residents of Burlescombe.

Our Priorities

We have agreed to focus on the following priorities to improve life in Burlescombe over the next four years:

  1. Representation: We are your voice! We represent the interests and concerns of Burlescombe residents, ensuring that your opinions are heard and considered.
  2. Essential Services: We provide essential services that make a positive difference in our community, including maintaining public areas, parks, and community facilities.
  3. Community Development: We actively support initiatives that enhance community development, creating a vibrant and cohesive village.
  4. Planning and Development Control: We carefully review planning applications to ensure they align with our community’s vision while preserving the unique character of Burlescombe.
  5. Financial Responsibility: We manage our finances responsibly, allocating resources efficiently to deliver services and maximise community benefits.
  6. Collaboration: We work closely with other local authorities to address common challenges and achieve shared goals for the betterment of Burlescombe.
  7. Community Engagement: Your participation matters! We actively engage with residents, providing opportunities for you to contribute your ideas, feedback, and concerns.

Standing Orders

We abide by the Standing Orders that set out how we operate, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. Some of these processes are required by the law, while others are a matter of council choice. Our Standing Order set out the basic rules that govern our business.

Elected Members

Elected Members (Parish Councillors), represent represent the interests and concerns of Burlescombe’s residents. They determine the strategic direction and policies for the Council.

The current Chairman is Councillor Lewis W, and the Vice-Chairman is Luke T. Elected members are not paid to carry out their role, but do receive a small yearly allowance. Elections take place every four years. The next District and Parish election is scheduled to occur on 6 May 2027.

Lewis W
Chairman
2nd Term
Register of Interests
Luke T
Vice-Chairman
2nd Term
Register of Interests
David W
Councillor
2nd Term
Register of Interests

Decision Making

At Burlescombe Parish Council, decision making is a collaborative and inclusive process that reflects the values and needs of our community. Here’s how decision making takes place within our council:

  1. Meetings: We hold regular council meetings that serve as the platform for decision making. These meetings are open to the public, fostering transparency and encouraging community involvement.
  2. Agenda Setting: Prior to each meeting, our council carefully prepares an agenda that outlines the topics to be discussed. This ensures that important matters concerning Burlescombe are given due attention and consideration.
  3. Discussion and Debate: During the council meetings, our dedicated members engage in meaningful discussions and debates on the agenda items. They bring diverse perspectives, raise concerns, and share ideas to ensure well-informed decision making.
  4. Decision Making: After thorough deliberation, decisions are made through a voting process. Our council members cast their votes on proposals, resolutions, or motions related to the agenda items. The majority vote determines the outcome, reflecting the collective will of the council.
  5. Transparency and Record-Keeping: We prioritise transparency by maintaining detailed meeting minutes that document the discussions, decisions, and actions taken during our meetings. These minutes serve as an official record, accessible to the public, ensuring accountability and transparency in our decision-making process.
  6. Public Input: As a community-focused council, we value the input of our residents. We provide opportunities for public input through forums, consultations, and public hearings. This allows our community members to express their opinions, concerns, and suggestions on specific matters before final decisions are made.

At Burlescombe Parish Council, we are dedicated to making decisions that reflect the best interests of our community. By fostering open dialogue, involving our residents, and upholding transparency, we strive to create an inclusive decision-making process that truly represents the needs and aspirations of Burlescombe.

Finances

Burlescombe Parish Council raises money to fund our activities and provide services through a mechanism called the precept. Here’s an explanation of how our council raises money from a precept:

  1. Determining Financial Needs: The parish council assesses its financial needs by considering the services it provides, ongoing projects, maintenance costs, staffing requirements, and any other expenditure necessary to fulfil its objectives. This assessment helps the council determine the amount of money it needs to raise through the precept.
  2. Setting the Precept: The parish council sets the precept amount, which represents the sum of money it intends to raise from local taxpayers. The precept is calculated based on the financial needs identified in step one and takes into account factors such as inflation, anticipated changes in costs, and any additional services or projects the council plans to undertake.
  3. Consultation and Approval: Before finalising the precept, the parish council may engage in a consultation process with the local community. This allows residents to provide feedback on the proposed precept and express their views on the council’s financial plans. Following the consultation, the precept is formally approved by the parish council.
  4. Collection of Funds: The precept is collected by the local billing authority, typically the district council, on behalf of the parish council. The amount collected is included in the council tax bills sent to local residents. The billing authority collects the funds and then transfers them to the parish council.
  5. Utilisation of Funds: Once the parish council receives the funds from the precept, it utilises the money to finance its activities, deliver services, maintain infrastructure, support community initiatives, and fulfil its responsibilities. The funds are managed by the council, adhering to proper financial procedures and regulations.

It’s important to note that the precept is just one component of the overall council tax bill that residents pay. The precept specifically funds the activities of the parish council, while other portions of the council tax bill contribute to the funding of other local authorities, such as the district or county council, police, and fire services.

By raising money through the precept, parish councils have the means to provide essential services, maintain local facilities, and support the well-being of their communities in a manner that aligns with the needs and priorities of the residents they serve.

See past, present and proposed precepts here.

Application for Co-Option to the Council

Please give details of (i) every employment, job, trade, business or vocation you have, for which you receive any benefit or gain (i.e. profit, salary or benefit in kind) including description of the activity e.g. ‘Accountant’ or ‘Farmer’ and (ii) the name of any employer or body, firm or company which you own or in which you have any beneficial interest.
Please give details of any person or body (other than the Town/Parish Council) who has made any payment to you in respect of your election or any expenses you have incurred in carrying out your duties as a Town/Parish Councillor.
Please give details of a body which has a place of business or owns land in the Town/Parish Council’s area and in which you have a beneficial interest (a shareholding) of more than £25,000 (nominal value) or more than 1/100 of the total shares issue of that body (whichever is the lower) or if there is more than one class of share, the total nominal value of shares in any class of that body of more than 1/100,h of the total shares of that class. Note: It is not necessary to declare the nature or size of the holding, simply the name of the company or other body.
Please give details of any current, existing contracts for goods, works or services between the Town/Parish Council and you and a body, firm or company by which you are employed or which you own or in which you have a beneficial, interest, as referred to at 'Securities: Interests in Companies' above.
Please give the address or other description (sufficient to identify the location) of any land or property in the Town/Parish Council’s area in which you have a beneficial interest. Indicate whether you are the owner, lessee or tenant, including land in which you may have a licence - alone or with others - to occupy for a period of one month or longer. You must include the land and house you live in and, for example, an allotment you own or use.
Please give the address or other description (sufficient to identify the location) of any land leased or licensed from the Town/Parish Council by you or a body firm or company by which you are employed or which you own or in which you have a beneficial interest (specified at 'Securities: Interests in Companies' above).
Please give details of your membership of, or any position of general control or management, of any bodies in the categories listed below, your interests in land in the area of the Town/Parish Council (other than those set out in 'Landholdings and Licences in the Area' & 'Corporate Tenancies: Land leased from your Town/Parish Council') and of any gifts and hospitality received worth over £25.
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By clicking on the submit response button and submitting this form you hereby declare that the information provided is true and correct and that you are: (a) British or a citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union; (b) at least 18 years old; and, (c) registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked or owned property there for at least 12 months before the election.