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Who we are and what we do
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The Parish Council
Myddle and Broughton Parish Council, elected by the local parishioners, is the first tier of local government and is one of 70,000 parish and town councils in England. Its role is to serve the interests of the community and improve the quality of the local environment.
The Council represents the villages of Harmer Hill, Myddle and Yorton and the smaller communities around these villages. Elections to the Council are held every four years and the Council has an allocation of ten seats divided amongst three wards representing the three main communities. At the last election there were only six nominations and as a result the Council has had to co-opt four additional Members.
Local Councils have powers granted by the Government, including the authority to raise money through taxation. This is known as the precept and in the coming year it has been set at £14,875.00. The Council uses this money to provide a range of services which include street lighting, ground maintenance, the children’s play area, grants to village halls and churches, etc. The precept can be supplemented by other money raised by the Council, including grant aid from a range of providers.
The administration of the Council is handled by the Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, who is, with the exception of a small allowance paid to someone to oversee the play area, the only paid employee of the Council. Any other service carried out by the Council is contracted to individuals or companies. Council Members do not receive payment and have voted not to claim allowances.
The Council meets in January and then in alternative months throughout the year. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday in the month and the meetings take place in either Myddle or Harmer Hill Village Hall. By statute the Council has to hold an annual open Parish Meeting and this is held on the third Wednesday in May. Details of the meetings and agendas are published on the village hall notice boards and on this web site. Parishioners are always welcome to attend these meetings and there is an opportunity to raise issues before the official meeting begins.
Members are always keen to receive the views of local residents and welcome suggestions about new projects that could be undertaken.