A Parish Council is a small local authority and its Councillors are elected for four years. It is community based and the most accessible tier of local government. Collingham Parish Council has 10 Councillors who try to ensure that the views of the community are taken into account by the authorities, agencies and organisations that make legislation and take decisions on services and issues affecting the community. The Councillors live within the community and it is easy to contact both them and the Parish Clerk.
Parish Councils have a number of formal powers and using these Collingham Parish Council is responsible for a large number of assets which are list in the “Asset Register” but the most notable of these are:
- the Community Park and the Jubilee Room on Swinderby Road,
- the Cemetery at South End and South Church
- the Youth and Community Centre, Low Street
- 71 High Street (the Library)
- The Cross Site, High Street
We often talk about something “belonging to the Parish Council” but that really means that it belongs to the people of the Parish.
The Parish Council Responds to and adds comments on planning applications, structure plans and government consultation documents. It comments on all planning application in the Parish, where Newark & Sherwood District Council are required to consult with the Parish Council. Newark & Sherwood District Council make all decisions, hopefully taking into account the Parish Council’s views, although this is not always the case.
Parish Councils do not receive government grants, so raise their income from a precept, which is a tax the electors pay as part of their Council Tax Bill.
The Parish Council is also involved in Crime Prevention measures and initiatives that will improve the quality of life for residents, such as Community Speedwatch. Collingham Parish Council liaises with Nottinghamshire County Council regarding traffic problems.