What part does the Parish Council play in Local Government?

The Parish Council is the second tier of local government, after the District Council. It is at the "grass roots" and is in the best position to represent the views of the local community.

All meetings of the Council are advertised on the Parish Council notice boards in The High Street and Doncaster Road also in the Library, the Parish Centre, All Saints Parish Church and Shay Lane Pavilion and on this website. They are open to the public and the Council would like to encourage residents to come along - the elected Members are your representatives and your views are important to them.

What does the Parish Council do?

The Parish Council has a surprising number of powers which it can exercise if it so wishes. Below are some of the activities Crofton Parish Council currently carries out for the benefit of the village:

• Provides many parish organisations with financial assistance.
• Owns the allotment sites in Oak Street and Hare Park Lane.
• Considers all planning applications relating to Crofton, and makes comments as appropriate, to the District Council
• Provides litter bins and some seats and benches in the village
• Provides and maintains hanging baskets at 36 sites, plus other gardening maintenance throughout the village
• Provides and maintains the Parish Cemetery
• Provides and maintains the Parish Centre in the High Street.
• Acts as trustees to Crofton Village Association, funding the ongoing commitment of the Pavilion at Hare Park Sidings.
• Undertakes special projects such as the Village Appraisal
• As a mediator between parishioners and the higher levels of local and central government

Who pays for the Parish Council?

The Parish Council raises the funds to undertake these services and facilities through what is known as the precept. This is charged to residents through the council tax. For the financial year 2011/12, the Council's precept is £49,942. A decision was made at the council meeting in January 2012 to retain the precept for 2012/13   

The Council's Standing Orders are here. and the Financial Standing Orders here.