ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL  

www.eccleshallparishcouncil.org

 

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ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES

 

 

Congratulations to Mike Starkey, who was duly elected to represent the Town Ward on the Parish Council at the election held on February 12th 2009.

Turnout was 23.77% and the voting was very close.

Many thanks to the other candidates who were nominated, hopefully they will not be deterred from standing for the Parish Council in the future.

Thanks also to Jane Peat and Staff at the Borough Council Elections Office

Bye Election Town Ward

An election  has been called following the resignation of Mrs. Coral Lawrence and will be held on Thursday February 12th 2009

When a vacancy is advertised an election can be called by 10 residents of the Ward requesting an election in writing to the Borough Council.

The cost of an election has to be paid for from Parish Funds and this is expected to be approximately £3500.00

If an election had not been called the Parish Council would have  been required to fill the vacancy by co-option

The persons nominated as as follows:-

Vanessa Mary Chapman. 17,Redhills, Eccleshall.

Lee Charles Featherstone. 27, Trinity Road, Eccleshall.

Martha Maria Jones. 2, Badenhall Cottages, Near Drakehall, Eccleshall.

Edward Albert Ranson. 34, Badgers Croft,Eccleshall.

George John William Simkin. Astage Farmhouse, Arnhill, Croxton.

Mike Starkey. 24, Claremont Road, Eccleshall.

Poll cards will be sent out shortly - please use your vote and make a difference.

 

VACANCY - Horsley Ward 

At the Annual General Meeting held on May 21st 2008 presentations for co-option were received from three candidates. A ballot was held and Mr. Barry Apps was co-opted.

Thanks were expressed to Mr. E. Ranson and Mr. A. J. Batlle for their interest in the position and it was hoped that they would not be deterred from standing again in the future.

Barry has lived in Eccleshall for 12 years and is a member of the Katherine House fund raising committee, the Rotary Club and several other local organisations.

 

Elections for all seats on the Parish Councils within Stafford Borough are held every four years and the last  elections  took place on Thursday, May 3rd 2007.

There are over 8,700 parish and town councils representing around 16 million people across England. They form  the   most local level of government and cover many rural and urban areas.

Eccleshall Parish Council meets regularly to make decisions on the work and direction of the council. As an  elected body the work of a Parish Council involves delivering services to meet local needs, striving to improve the quality of life in the parish and representing the local community.

Eccleshall Parish Council is not a political body and is made up of 15 councillors representing four wards.

The Parish Council meets on the third Wednesday in every month, with the exception of August and December.     At the start of each meeting is a session for Public Participation, where residents can raise issues of local importance. Six out  of the 10 meetings are held at the Community Centre in Eccleshall, with two per year being  held at both Broughton Parish Rooms and Offley Hay Village Hall to enable local residents to attend more easily. The Planning Committee meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

The Parish Council has several committees:- Traffic Management Committee, Enhancements Committee, Policy    and Resources Committee, and  Footpaths Committee, which meet every 6 weeks or so. There is also a Staffing Committee which meets as and when required.

New Parish Councillors usually attend a training course and members are nominated at the Annual General                 Meeting in May to represent various local groups including the Allotments Association, Business Focus Group, Ecclian Society, Care Home, Community Centre, Tourism Bureau, Offley Hay Village Hall, Croxton Playing Fields, Parish Forum, Local Agenda 21 and Farmer’s Market.

Each year a sum of money called a ‘precept’ is collected through your council tax. This money is used by your    parish council to improve facilities and services for local people. The parish council also applies for grants and receives money from rents and leases

The Council Newsletter is published on a quarterly basis. Ward members deliver newsletters where possible           andTown Councillors and the clerk each have a part of the town to which they deliver.

Eccleshall Parish Council achieved Quality Status in November 2004. A Parish Plan was published in July 2004     and a Town Design Statement in May 2006. The Parish Council has a web site where information is available and minutes can be viewed. There is a series of 11 footpath walks and also a booklet containing a further eight walks.

The Parish Council supports the Ecclian Society and funds the watering of hanging baskets and mangers in the   town during the summer and the purchase of 60 Christmas Trees in December. Annual events include the Civic Service and Carol Singing.

Councillors have three main areas of work:-

1). Decision making - through attending meetings and committees with other elected members, councillors   decide   which activities to support, where money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented.

2). Monitoring - councillors make sure that their decisions lead to efficient and effective services by keeping  an eye  on how well things are working.

3). Getting involved locally - as local representatives, councillors have responsibilities towards their  constituents  and local organisations.

As a councillor you can become a voice for your community and bring about real change. Councillors are      community leaders and represent the aspirations of the public that they serve. Parish councils are the most local part of our democratic system and are closest to the public. Why don’t you stand for your local parish council      and see what a difference you can make to your local community?

 

You must fulfil the following requirements to be eligible to stand as a Councillor

  • or another Euronational

  • Be over 18

  • Be an elector in the Area

or

  • Live in the Parish or within 3 miles of it

  • Own or lease land or property in the Parish

  • Have your principal place of work there

 

You must not

¨ Hold a paid office on the Council or any company contracted by it

¨ Be an undischarged bankrupt

¨ Be disqualified by the courts or have been convicted and sentenced to more than three months imprisonment within five years.

 

 

If you would like further information please contact the Parish Clerk or any parish councillor, or attend a council meeting to see what is involved.

 

 

 

 
Home Page Councillors Representatives Meeting Dates Civic Service Minutes
Parish Meeting Committees Newsletter Town Design Speedwatch Town Map
Refuse Lorry What's on Footpaths Farmers Market Community Centre Parish Plan/Community Plan
Police Elections and Vacancies Croxton Play Area Allotments Local Development Framework Publication Scheme
Funding Opportunities