What is a Parish Council?
Drayton Parish Council is a statutory body, set up (in 1897) to serve the residents of the Parish. Like other Parish Councils (or Town Councils if they serve an urban area) it is the lowest tier of Local Government, sitting below, but independent of, District and County Councils. The “Parish” in the title refers to the civil parish; we have no formal links to the Church.
Drayton Parish Council serves around 1991 electors who are those residents aged 18 and over and eligible to vote in Parish Council elections.
What do we do?
We support, maintain or provide:
- Open spaces, including children’s play areas, the Village Green
- Allotments
- Grounds maintenance and upkeep for the Parish owned areas, including trees, grassed areas and other open spaces
- Footpaths and bridleways (in association with Oxfordshire County Council)
- The Drayton Burial Ground
- The Drayton Neighbourhood Plan 2015-2031
We support local organisations through grant assistance and Application Form to the running and organisation of local events.
We comment on all planning applications in the Parish area.
Who are our Councillors?
Our Parish Councillors have been elected to serve on the Parish Council for four years, Councillors may be co-opted to vacant seats after the election.
Unlike other tiers of Local Government Parish Councillors, do not get paid for the time they spend fulfilling their duties. The role is entirely voluntary and can take up many hours in working with their communities and attending meetings. Councillors have to abide by a Code of Conduct and declare any financial or other interests they may have in the Parish, such as their homes, businesses and the organisations to which they may belong. Councillors must also declare a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter under discussion at a Parish Council meeting.
Our Councillors often serve in other roles such as school governors and on the management and advisory boards of local organisations and charities. They are actively involved in the running of local clubs and societies; they live and often work in the local community, so are in touch with many residents and understand the needs of our vibrant community.
How are we funded?
Through your Council Tax. The Parish Council raises funds though its precept, which the District Council collects on our behalf through the Council Tax billing. We also offset our costs by the revenue we earn from our facilities, such as allotment and burial charges. The cost of the Parish Council should not be viewed as an “extra”, if the Parish Council did not exist then the services we provide would have to be provided by the District Council. Parish Councils are usually looked on as good value for the tax payer’s money, they run with low staff levels and overheads and are generally efficient at providing services.
Standing Orders
2018 05 14 Drayton Parish Council Standing Orders 2018-19 – ADOPTED
Code of Conduct
Councillors operate under the following Code of Conduct which includes the ten principles of public life (the ‘Nolan’ Principles)