Ford Parish Council represents the villages of Ford, Etal, Crookham and surrounding areas, with a population of around five hundred people. Economic activities are agriculture and tourism, and local facilities include three post offices, one primary school, two village shops, two public houses and three churches. The parish sits on the route of the 267 bus running between Berwick and Wooler. There are three village halls providing a wide range of activities, details of which can be found in the monthly Fourum newsletter. In 2018 the Council installed a new playground in the village of Ford which has been well received by both residents and visitors.

The Parish Council looks after the interests of the parish where empowered to do so, bringing any other needs of the parish to the attention of the relevant authority. It also responds to consultation documents and requests from a diverse range of other bodies and authorities.