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Elections 2022
Information about Elections 2022
Parish Council Elections May 2022
Did you know that Parish Councils are actually elected and that this year is an election year?
Have you thought about being a Parish Councillor?
What is a Parish Council?
A parish council is a local authority that makes decisions on behalf of the people in the parish and has a responsibility for the well-being of its local community. It is the level of government closest to the community, with the district council above it in the hierarchy. As it is the level of government closest to the people, parish councils are usually the first place people will go with concerns or ideas. For this reason they are a vital part of any community. Fowlmere Parish Council has 9 Councillors.
Why become a Parish Councillor?
By becoming a parish councillor you become someone your community will look to for help, guidance and support.
Seeing your community change for the better, as a result of decisions you have helped make, is something that can give you a sense of achievement and pride.
What decisions do Parish Councils make?
Parish councils make all kinds of decisions on issues that affect the local community. The most common topics that parish councils get involved with are planning matters (they are statutory consultees), helping local groups, managing open spaces, and campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities, usually by applying for available grants.
It’s true to say that on their own, parish councils have limited powers to make decisions. But they do have the ability to negotiate with, and the power to influence, those other organisations that do make the final decisions (such as the district or county council, health authorities, police etc).
In this respect parish councils are influential. The organisations that make the final decisions know that a parish council gives the best reflection of how a community feels about something, and its views will be taken seriously.
How much time does it take up?
Fowlmere Parish Council meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, with meetings lasting up to 2.5 hours. Some additional sub committee meetings are arranged as required (most often to meet planning application deadlines). Such meetings don’t happen every day, so it’s not going to take over your life.
How long does a parish councillor serve for?
The Election cycle is 4 years after which you are welcome to put yourself forward for election again. You are not trapped, however. If your circumstances change you can stand down.
Nominations open on 28th March and close on 5th April. The election is on 5th May (the same day as the District Council Elections)
If there are 9 or fewer nominations, the nominees are elected “uncontested” without the need for a ballot.
For more information about the Elections visit