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What does the Parish Council do?

Chacewater Parish Council is the first tier of local government and works on behalf of the local community. It helps to improve the parish, manages local facilities and services, represents residents’ interests, and works with other organisations to address local issues.

Parish councils have a range of legal powers that allow them to provide services, manage assets and support community initiatives. They also have a statutory role in some areas, particularly in relation to planning.

The council’s work generally falls into four main areas:

Managing Local Facilities and Assets

The council owns or manages a number of community facilities and public spaces for the benefit of residents and visitors. This may include buildings, recreation areas, open spaces, play areas, public amenities and other community assets.

The council is responsible for maintaining these facilities, ensuring they remain safe and accessible, and planning for their future improvement and development.

Representing the Community

The council acts as the voice of the parish and seeks to represent the interests of residents, businesses and community organisations.

This can involve:

  • Raising local concerns with Cornwall Council and other public bodies.
  • Responding to consultations.
  • Supporting community projects and initiatives.
  • Working with local organisations, charities and volunteer groups.
  • Advocating for improvements to local services and infrastructure.

Planning and Development

The parish council is a statutory consultee on planning applications within the parish.

This means that the council reviews planning applications and submits comments to Cornwall Council, which is the planning authority responsible for making planning decisions.

When considering planning applications, the council takes account of planning policies, local circumstances and the views expressed by residents. The parish council does not determine planning applications itself.

Supporting Community Wellbeing

The council works to improve the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of the parish.

This can include:

  • Supporting local events and activities.
  • Promoting community engagement.
  • Working on environmental and biodiversity projects.
  • Supporting initiatives that benefit residents and local organisations.
  • Helping to secure funding for community improvements.

Working with Other Organisations

Many local services are delivered by organisations other than the parish council. The council therefore works closely with Cornwall Council, local charities, community groups, public bodies and other partners to help address issues affecting the parish.

By working together, these organisations can often achieve more than any single organisation could alone.

What the Parish Council Does Not Do

Many public services are the responsibility of other organisations.

For example, Cornwall Council is generally responsible for services such as:

  • Education.
  • Social care.
  • Housing.
  • Highway maintenance and potholes.
  • Waste and recycling collection.
  • Strategic planning decisions.

Other services, such as healthcare, policing and public transport, are delivered by separate organisations.

Although the parish council may raise concerns, lobby for improvements and support local initiatives, it does not directly control these services.

Learn More

To find out more about the council’s legal responsibilities and powers, visit our Powers and Duties page.

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