Governance

Parish Councils are the first tier of local government and the closest to the community they serve. They are elected bodies with statutory and discretionary powers and rights to represent their communities and provide services for them.

The national body representing Town and Parish Councils is the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), to which all County Associations are affiliated. Prestbury Parish Council is a member of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC).

​By law there are certain obligations which a local council must fulfil. For example:

• ​It must hold an annual meeting

• It must hold at least three other meetings a year

• It must appoint such officers as it believes necessary for the proper discharge of its functions (this may be a Councillor unpaid, but in common practice is a Clerk and/or Treasurer)

• It must make Standing Orders

The Clerk is responsible for carrying out the work of the Council and is known as the Proper Officer. The Council also has an Assistant Clerk who is the Responsible Financial Officer. They have no power of delegation other than for emergency work as set out in the Financial Regulations.

​The range of services and amenities provided by Prestbury Parish Council varies enormously, from adult learning classes to graveyard maintenance, but all contribute to the primary objective of responding to the needs of residents within the Parish.

​Our aims are to:

• ​improve and maintain local services and facilities

• support local voluntary organisations and activities

• influence and lobby on local development and services

• provide a sustainable living environment which embraces the local infrastructure and surrounding countryside

• promote a prosperous local economy

• encourage culture, recreation and sport

• maintain a healthy and safe environment

• encourage a community spirit and community participation

Prestbury Parish Council must operate within strict legislation prescribed by statutes – providing a direction for the powers and duties a Council is able to exercise in carrying out Council business.

​Prestbury Parish Council adheres to the below legal requirements.