introducing plumpton parish council

Introducing Plumpton Parish Council

WHAT PLUMPTON PARISH COUNCIL DOES FOR YOU

YOUR COUNCIL IS HERE TO HELP YOU. COUNCILLORS ARE OUT AND ABOUT IN THE VILLAGE SO PLEASE CONTACT THEM IF YOU NEED HELP WITH COUNCIL ISSUES.

STRUCTURE
Plumpton Parish Council represents the communities of Plumpton and Plumpton Green and is comprised of 9 Councillors, all who live within the community, and the Parish Clerk.
The Council is lead by the Chairman, who is supported by the Vice Chairman and Chairmen of the various committees. Click here for current Councillors and their roles within the Parish Council
The role of Parish Councillor is honorary.
Councillors abide by a Code of Conduct and sign a Declaration of Interests document.
The Council abides by Standing Orders – quorums for Parish Council meetings are 5 members, and planning meetings 4 members.
The Clerk is the Proper Officer and is responsible for finance, attending meetings to take minutes, correspondence and liaising with agencies and residents of Plumpton on various issues.

MEETINGS
Members of the public are welcome at any Parish Council meeting.
Parish Council Meetings are held every month, except August, which are normally on the third Tuesday of each month (December and January accommodate Christmas and the pantomime).These meetings take place in the Village Hall Committee Room at 7.30 pm.
Planning Meetings are held in the Committee Room when necessary and are followed by site visits, if necessary.
Annual Parish Meeting takes place in April, usually in the Village Hall Small Hall.
Annual Statutory Meeting takes place in May, when Councillors are elected to specific committees. These meetings take place in the Village Hall Committee Room.

NOTICE BOARDS
The Council has four notice boards: Inside the Village Hall, outside the Village Hall, The Plough bus shelter and at the Half Moon bus stop. Minutes and Council Notices are posted on these boards.

FINANCES
An annual budget is authorised and accounts are prepared by the Clerk and are audited by an independent Auditor (Mazars of Southampton). The internal auditor appointed by the Council is Mr. Alan Greening; he oversees the accounts twice a year and is accountable to the external auditor above. The Council gives grants to local organizations who apply; the current annual budget is £500.

COUNCIL PROPERTY
Plumpton Parish Council owns, and is responsible for, land at Kings George V Playing Field and Pavilion (including the skate park), the Village Hall and Village Green, and Bevernside Pocket Park. There are currently seven allotment plots at Bevernside which are occupied, with an annual rent of £15. There is a waiting list for allotments.

WHO THE COUNCIL WORKS WITH
The Parish Council works with:
Lewes District Council: planning, environmental health, street cleaning, legal matters, waste and recycling.
East Sussex County Council: Highways, (potholes, footways, overgrown hedges, road signs, speeding issues), education, footpaths public footpaths and bridleways, administration.
In addition, the Parish Council liaise with agencies including Southern Water, South East Water, Environment Agency (flooding), EDF Energy, British Telecom, Southern and Network Rail, RDH bus and coach company, Plumpton Primary School, Sussex Police (there is a PCSO responsible for Plumpton).
Any resident who has issues with any matters concerning the above, should initially approach the Clerk, who will then contact the relevant agency or Councillor who may be able to help.
Plumpton Parish Council works closely with agencies concerning the South East Plan, National Park, Minerals Policies, Housing Needs for the South East, DEFRA, NHS Trusts; and responds to enquiries as consultees of many local and central government policies.
Councillors attend external meetings with groups including Quiet Lanes, Rural Voices Rural Choices, Neighbourhood Watch.

ELECTION PROCESS
A new Parish Council is formed every 4 years. Residents (including existing Councillors) have the opportunity to stand for election. If more than 9 eligible persons apply, an election is held (if 9 or less apply they are automatically elected to the Council without the need to go to poll). Should a vacancy occur during the current 4-year term, members are co-opted to the Parish Council.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
Members of the public are entitled to view Parish Council documents under the Freedom of Information Act. Copies of documents are available for 50p a copy.