Joining Parish Council at 20....
Discussion
Morning chaps,
Basically there are a number of vacancies on the parish council and I am considering putting my name forward. Clearly I am not the usual demographic for these things but hey ho. Has anyone here ever done this and is it all petty issues and bureaucracy?
Any insights would be appreciated.
Basically there are a number of vacancies on the parish council and I am considering putting my name forward. Clearly I am not the usual demographic for these things but hey ho. Has anyone here ever done this and is it all petty issues and bureaucracy?
Any insights would be appreciated.
Unfortunately parish councils (in my experience) tend to be populated by people of a certain generation who have little else to do. It's a necessary job and potentially rewarding, but I'm quite certain they make it far tougher than it needs to be. Plenty of pettiness and circular discussions.
In summary:
Should you join? Yes
Will you enjoy? Unlikely
In summary:
Should you join? Yes
Will you enjoy? Unlikely
My OH is Clerk to Council (Chief Exec in plain English) for a council in southern England. I would say listening to her experiences of councillors, anything that can reduce the average age of councillors from about 107, can remove vested interests, can add some 'real world' life experience or generally add diversity to the current white, late-middle aged, upper-middle class, professional would be a good thing.
I know my description may be seen as a disparaging generalisation, but for her council, and the 20 or so she deals with on a regular basis, that is the demographic of councillors.
If you're still interested, PM me, and I'll get her to send you some of info on becoming a councillor, the duties and expectations.
I know my description may be seen as a disparaging generalisation, but for her council, and the 20 or so she deals with on a regular basis, that is the demographic of councillors.
If you're still interested, PM me, and I'll get her to send you some of info on becoming a councillor, the duties and expectations.
I was a Parish Councillor for a few years in my village. I had vision of helping the community instead I got moaned at about the dog s
t, Pot holes and parents parking like dheads when picking their kids up from school. Everyone will forget you are a volunteer and they expect you you fix things as soon as they go wrong. Don't go on planning committee as that is a complete waste of time.
Good luck with it
t, Pot holes and parents parking like dheads when picking their kids up from school. Everyone will forget you are a volunteer and they expect you you fix things as soon as they go wrong. Don't go on planning committee as that is a complete waste of time. Good luck with it
I did 5 years as a parish Councillor and will echo many of the above sentiments regarding 'doing my bit" for the village. It was also helpful as we had just moved into the area and it helped us get to know many of the local people.
A lot of it was monotonous, the same issues having to be dealt with every month and then there was the responsibility of voting through the budget each year.
It was useful to keep up with what was going on in the area, specifically planning issues, although you need to be realistic as to the influence you have on any planning application.
At the end of the 5 years a number of us left to form the " Hallow Village Community Group" which was much more rewarding in terms of what we did for the village and the benefit to the community.
A lot of it was monotonous, the same issues having to be dealt with every month and then there was the responsibility of voting through the budget each year.
It was useful to keep up with what was going on in the area, specifically planning issues, although you need to be realistic as to the influence you have on any planning application.
At the end of the 5 years a number of us left to form the " Hallow Village Community Group" which was much more rewarding in terms of what we did for the village and the benefit to the community.
Forgive my ignorance, but I guess these councillors stand for election. You can't just rock up and ask to be one can you? I don't think I've ever seen a Parish Council election. I know we used to have one here. The bloke who ran it turned out to have serious mental health issues coupled with alcoholism. Bearing in mind he was 6 foot 5 he could be a bit of a handful when on the sauce and anti-depressants and ended up being barred from every pub in town before going away on a "holiday somewhere down south" under a section of the mental health act.
I saw him a few years ago, rolling in a metallic red XJ40. I then spotted him in a pub where the management had changed and they hadn't a clue who he was. Still barking, still pissed and still ranting on about the parish council.
One imagines meetings with him would have been anything but dull.
There's not normally elections for Parish Councillors as there's usually not more candidates than positions, so it is just a case of volunteering and you're in.
Most PCs have no actual powers or influence so any ambitious or potential politicians won't be looking to join.
My father was on the PC when he lived in a village in yorkshire, I think the only thing they did was get the Lottery to fund a new village hall and put in an objection to the building of some houses in a field on the edge of the village.
As for the OP, if you want something interesting to put on the old CV then why not go for it.
Most PCs have no actual powers or influence so any ambitious or potential politicians won't be looking to join.
My father was on the PC when he lived in a village in yorkshire, I think the only thing they did was get the Lottery to fund a new village hall and put in an objection to the building of some houses in a field on the edge of the village.
As for the OP, if you want something interesting to put on the old CV then why not go for it.
I was a Parish councillor for a few years and my reasons for doing it were to give something back and to get to know more people as we were relatively new to the Village.
Yes when I started there were mind numbing boring bits but I sensed things were possible about to change with a nudge.... the OAPs didn't like it as I started to move the meetings to more modern day with agendas and times on.
Actually quite enjoyed myself but nearly ended up chairman of it which was a close run thing!
Yes when I started there were mind numbing boring bits but I sensed things were possible about to change with a nudge.... the OAPs didn't like it as I started to move the meetings to more modern day with agendas and times on.
Actually quite enjoyed myself but nearly ended up chairman of it which was a close run thing!
My Dad has been a parish councillor for the last 15 years (2 terms as chairman) and it is amazing how much time it takes up.
You'll get pissed off with it sooner or later!
Funnily enough, I've been asked to be secretary of the golf club and I can only imagine that it's quite similar! I'll probably end up doing that though.....
You'll get pissed off with it sooner or later!
Funnily enough, I've been asked to be secretary of the golf club and I can only imagine that it's quite similar! I'll probably end up doing that though.....
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