Your Parish Council

What is a parish or town council?

There are over 8,700 parish and town councils representing around 16 million people across England. They form the most local level of government and cover many rural and urban areas.

What services can it provide?

Norton Parish Council has an overall responsibility for the well-being of its local community. Its work falls into three main categories:

Norton Parish Council has an overall responsibility for the well-being of its local community. Its work falls into three main categories:

  • representing the local community
  • delivering services to meet local needs
  • striving to improve quality of life in the parish

The Parish Council might provide and/or maintain some of the following services:

  • allotments
  • burial grounds
  • car parks
  • community transport schemes
  • footpaths
  • bridleways
  • bus shelters
  • crime reduction measures
  • leisure facilities / play areas

It can also work with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council (DMBC) for other services, for example:

  • litter bins
  • local youth projects
  • open spaces
  • planning
  • street cleaning
  • street lighting
  • traffic calming measures

How does it make decisions?

Norton Parish Council has twelve councillors who meet regularly to make decisions on the work and direction of the council. As an elected body, the Parish Council, through its councillors, is responsible to the people it represents – that is the local community.
Attending a council meeting is the best way to find out what it does. Have a look at the other pages on this website to find out more about the Parish Council.

Where does it get its money from?

Each year the Parish Council asks for a sum of money, called a ‘precept’, which is collected through your council tax. It also receives money from DMBC. This money is used by the Parish Council to improve facilities and services for local people and run the Council. Parish Councils can also apply for grants and loans.

How are parish or town councillors elected?

Parish or town councillors are elected to represent a geographical area known as a ward. They are elected by people who live in the area. Norton Parish Council has 5 councillors representing Norton, 5 representing Campsall and 2 representing Sutton.

What do parish or town councillors do?

Councillors have three main areas of work:

  • Decision-making: hrough attending meetings and committees with other elected members, councillors decide which activities to support, where money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented;
  • Monitoring: councillors make sure that their decisions lead to efficient and effective services by keeping an eye on how well things are working;
  • Getting involved locally: as local representatives, councillors have responsibilities towards their parishioners and local organisations. This often depends on what the councillor wants to achieve and how much time is available.

Norton Parish Council has a Development Plan which sets out current priorities.

The day-to-day work of a councillor may include:

  • going to meetings of local organisations
  • going to meetings of bodies that affect the wider community, such as the police, the Highways Authority, schools and colleges
  • bringing parishioners concerns to the attention of the council

Norton Parish Council meets every 4 weeks on the second Tuesday of the month.

Could I be a parish councillor?

As a councillor you can become a voice for your community and affect real change. It helps if you’re a “people person” who enjoys talking to other residents but, more importantly, you need to have the concerns and best interests of the parish as a whole at heart. Councillors should represent the aspirations of the public that they serve.
Parish councils are the most local part of our democratic system and are closest to the public.

How much time does it take up & when?

On average, less than a few hours a week. Obviously there are some councillors who spend more time than this – and some less, but in the main, being a parish councillor is an enjoyable way of contributing to your community and helping to make it a better place to live and work. Council meetings are always held in the evening – as are most meetings of the other groups which councillors attend on the Council’s behalf.
Talking and listening to your fellow parishioners can be done at any time but you must be able to spend a couple of hours every four weeks (in the evening) attending the Council meeting.

To find out more contact