Powers of the Parish Council

The full powers of the parish council are listed below.

FunctionPowers & DutiesStatutory Provisions

Access land Power to enforce byelaws made by another authorityCountryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, s. 17AllotmentsDuty to provide allotments.

Power to improve and adapt land for allotments, and to let grazing rights Small Holdings & Allotments Act 1908, ss. 23, 26, and 42

Baths and washhouses Powers relating to provision of public baths, washhouses and bathing hutsPublic Health Act 1936, ss. 221 - 223 and 225 - 227

Burial grounds, cemeteries and crematoriaPower to acquire and maintain
Power to provide
Power to agree to maintain monuments and memorials
Power to contribute towards expenses of cemeteries Open Spaces Act 1906, Ss 9 and 10;
Local Government Act 1972, s. 214;
Parish Councils and Burial Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1970, s. 1
Local Government Act 1972, s. 214(6) Bus sheltersPower to provide and maintain sheltersLocal Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953, s. 4

Bye-lawsPower to make bye-laws in regard to pleasure grounds
Cycle parks
Baths and washhouses
Open spaces and burial grounds
Mortuaries and post-mortem rooms
Public ConveniencesPublic Health Act 1875, s. 164
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.57(7)
Public Health Act 1936, s.223
Open Spaces Act 1906, ss.15 and 12
Public Health Act 1936, s.198
Public Health Act 1936, s. 87

ClocksPower to provide public clocks Parish Councils Act 1957, s.2

Closed churchyards

Powers as to maintenanceCommons Act 1899, s.5 CommonsPower for parish council to contribute to expense relating to scheme for the regulation and management of a common.Commons Act 1899, s.5

Common pastures Powers in relation to providing common pastureSmallholdings and Allotments Act 1908, s.34

Conference facilities Power to provide and encourage the use of facilitiesLocal Government Act 1972, s.144Community centresPower to provide and equip buildings for use of clubs having athletic, social or recreational objectivesLocal Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 s.19Crime preventionPowers to install and maintain equipment and establish and maintain a scheme for detection or prevention of crimeLocal Government and Rating Act 1997, s.31

DrainagePower to deal with ponds and ditchesPublic Health Act 1936, s.260

Entertainment and the artsProvision of entertainment and support of the arts Local Government Act 1972, s.145Financial assistanceDuty to require informationLocal Government Act 1972, s.137A

General powers Power to incur expenditure for certain purposes Local Government Act 1972, s.137

Gifts Power to accept Local Government Act 1972, s.139

HighwaysPower to maintain footpaths and bridleways

Power to light roads and public places

Provision of litter bins

Powers to provide parking places for bicycles and motor-cycles, and other vehicles

Power to enter into agreement as to dedication and widening

Power to provide roadside seats and shelters

Consent of parish council required for ending maintenance of highway at public expense, or for stopping up or diversion of highway

Power to complain to highway authority as to unlawful stopping up or obstruction of highway or unlawful encroachment on roadside wastes
Power to provide traffic signs and other objects or devices warning of danger

Power to plant trees and lay out grass Highways Act 1980, ss.43,50
Parish Councils Act 1957, s.3;
Highways Act 1980, s.301
Litter Act 1983, ss.5,6
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, ss.57,63
Highways Act 1980, ss.30,72
Parish Councils Act 1957, s.1
Highways Act 1980, ss.47,116
Highways Act 1980, s.130

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.72 Highways Act 1980, s.96

Investments Power to participate in schemes of collective  investmentTrustee Investments Act 1961, s.11

Land Power to acquire by agreement, to appropriate, to dispose of
Power to accept gifts of land  Local Government Act 1972, ss.124, 126, 12 Local Government Act 1972, s.139 

 Litter Provision of receptacles  Litter Act 1983, ss.5,6

LotteriesPowers to promoteLotteries and Amusements Act 1976, s.7

Mortuaries and post mortem roomsPowers to provide mortuaries and post mortem rooms Public Health Act 1936, s.198

Open spaces Power to acquire land and maintain  Public Health Act 1875, s.164  Open Spaces Act 1906, ss.9 and 10 

Parish documents  Powers to direct as to their custody  Local Government Act 1972, s.226

Public buildings and village hall  Power to provide buildings for public meetings and assemblies Local Government Act 1972, s.133

Public conveniences Powers relating to provision of public conveniencesPublic Health Act 1936, s.87

RecreationPower to acquire land for or to provide public walks, pleasure grounds and open spaces and to manage and control them
Power to provide gymnasiums, playing fields, holiday camps

Provision of boating pools(see Local Government Act 1972,
Sched.14 para.27)
Public Health Act 1875, s.164
Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1890 s.44
Open Spaces Act 1906, ss.9 and 10
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, s.19
Public Health Act 1961, s.54   

Town and country planning   Right to be notified of planning applicationsTown and Country Planning Act 1990, Sched.1, para.8

Tourism Power to encourage visitors and provide conference and other facilities   Local Government Act 1972, s.144

Traffic calming Powers to contribute financially to traffic calming schemes Highways Act 1980, s.274ATransportPowers in relation to car-sharing schemes, taxi fare concessions and information about transport

Powers to make grants for bus services  Local Government and Rating Act 1997, s.26, 28 and 29
Transport Act 1985, s.106A

War memorials  Power to maintain, repair, protect and alter war memorials War Memorials (Local Authorities' Powers) Act 1923, s.1; as extended by Local Government Act 1948, s.133 

Water supply Power to utilise well, spring or stream and to provide facilities for obtaining water from them  Public Health Act 1936, s.125