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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. 

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Local councils are represented nationally by the National Association of Local Councils which has a network of county branches. The Association offers extensive training and support for Local Councils and their Clerks. Preston Brook Parish Council is a member of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils.

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

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  • 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 (a Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer)

  • It must make Standing Orders 

 

The Council employs a part-time Proper Officer who is the Council's Responsible Financial Officer and is a member of the Society of Local Council Clerks which holds regular training sessions in order to keep up with legislation. The Proper Officer is responsible for carrying out the work of the Council. 

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The range of services and amenities provided by Preston Brook Parish Council varies enormously and all contribute to the primary objective of responding to the needs of residents within the Parish.

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Our aims are to:

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  • 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

 

Preston Brook 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.

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Preston Brook Parish Council adheres to the below legal requirements.

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LOCALISM ACT 2011

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When conducting Council business, we will keep to the law, and abide by the Localism Act 2011.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972

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When conducting Council business, we will keep to the law, and abide by the Local Government Act 1972.

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REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT 1983 + 1985

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When conducting Council business, we will keep to the law, and abide by the Representation of the People Act 1983 and the Representation of the People Act 1985.

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DATA PROTECTION ACT 2018

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As a Parish Council we do not hold a great deal of personal data, however, if we ask you for personal information, we promise:

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  • to make sure you know why we need it;

  • to only ask for what we need, and not to collect too much or irrelevant information;

  • to protect it and make sure nobody has access to it who shouldn’t;

  • to let you know if we share it with other organisations to give you better public services - and if you can say no;

  • to make sure we don’t keep it longer than necessary; and

  • not to make your personal information available for commercial use

 

In return, we ask you to:

  • give us accurate information; and

  • tell us as soon as possible if there are any changes, such as a new address.

 

This helps us to keep your information reliable and up to date.

 

You can request more details on:

  • how to find out what information we hold about you and how to ask us to correct any mistakes;

  • agreements we have with other organisations for sharing information;

  • circumstances where we can pass on your personal information without telling you, for example, to prevent and detect crime or to produce anonymised statistics;

  • our instructions to staff on how to collect, use and delete your personal information;

  • how we check the information we hold is accurate and up to date; and

  • how to make a complaint.

 

When we ask you for information, we will keep to the law, including the Data Protection Act 2018.

 

For independent advice about data protection, privacy and data-sharing issues contact the Information Commissioner's Office:

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Email: mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk 

Tel: 01625 545745 or 0303 123 1113
Fax: 01625 524510

The Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

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