Saturday 21 March 2015

Parish Council Elections

Stand for Election for
Chearsley Parish Council
Thursday 7th May
(Nomination forms by 4pm on 9th April)

By standing as a Parish Councillor, you would have an opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing and care of Chearsley; the home to c600 Parishioners and blessed with many fine amenities. The Parish Council Elections will be combined with the General Election on Thursday 7th May.

The Parish Council takes responsibility for a range of local matters and community needs and is funded by the precept (raised as part of Council Tax). The seven elected Councillors, who work together as a team or participate in various working groups, aim to improve the services of the village by:
  • Maintaining parish land
  • Caring for the environment through litter and dog control
  • Overseeing the repair and maintenance of highways including footpaths and bridleways
  • Reviewing planning applications
  • Repairing and maintaining the war memorial/bus shelters
    (responsibilities that will undoubtedly increase with the proposed devolution or a services by BCC).
As a general rule, meetings are held on the third Monday of the month (at 7.30pm in the Chearsley village hall or sometimes at the cricket club) and aim to last no more than two hours. The AGM takes place every Spring. Every meeting is a public meeting where villagers are given the opportunity to raise concerns or ask questions. Councillors are given support in performing their duties from the Parish Council Clerk and training is available.

To become a Councillor you must be over 18 and a British national or qualifying citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Community. To stand for an election of Chearsley Parish Council, you must be an elector of the parish or; for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish, or; during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work), or; for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary.

To apply, please contact (after 23rd March):
Jo Sara, AVDC Senior Electoral Service Officer: 01296 585051
or
Clare Clark, Parish Clerk: Clare.Waring.Clark@gmail.com

The nomination form needs to be supported by a Proposer and Seconder (from two people on the electoral register within the Parish).

The deadline for completed nomination forms is 4pm on Thursday 9th April 2015. It must be hand delivered to AVDC.

Being a Councillor is a rewarding role and offers the opportunity to put something back into village life. Our village needs your support. Please consider standing for Election.

Nic Brown
Chairman- Chearsley Parish Council