Thursday 13 May 2021
This week, we brought you the results of the recent Devon County Council elections.
Now, Councillor John Hart, the Council's Leader Elect, is taking the opportunity to thank Team Devon for the way the partners have pulled together during the coronavirus pandemic to support Devon residents.
Team Devon, which includes District, Borough and City Councils, Town and Parish Councils, as well as independent and voluntary sector groups, has worked together as part of the county's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cllr Hart wants the good work, and the Team Devon collaboration, to continue. He said:
"Councils have always worked together on behalf of residents to provide the public services that we all rely on. Never more so than during the coronavirus pandemic has the value of working together, and seeing what can be achieved together, been so clear.
"I would like to thank all of the Team Devon partners for their part in supporting people through these extraordinary times.
"Local councils have been at the heart of the response to coronavirus, and they remain central to our recovery from it.
"Town and Parish Councils in particular already take much responsibility for local life, and have stepped up again to prove their value.
"We have a lot to do over the next four years, to rebuild our local economy as we come out of the pandemic, and to continue - with speed - the work we are already doing to cut carbon emissions in our county. Team Devon is part of that, and with our Town and Parish and District Council partners, we will work together for the people of Devon."
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Cara Stobart, County Officer for the Devon Association of Local Councils, said:
“As the tier of local government closest to communities, Parish and Town Councils play a vital role in delivering services to meet local need, and strive to improve community wellbeing.
“Over this past year they have demonstrated their flexibility, commitment and resolve to their communities, being at the forefront of the initial response to the pandemic - coordinating emergency plans and volunteers, acting as information hubs, providing grants and supporting food banks - often working with a range of partners in both principle councils and the voluntary sector.
“Parish and Town Councils recognise the added value that partnership working brings to local services and people. By utilising a broad range of discretionary powers, and working in partnership with County and District Councils, and the voluntary sector, Town and Parish Councils will play an important role in rebuilding our communities after the pandemic.”
 Parish and Town Councils are the smallest and most 'local' level of government in England, but operate in a similar way to larger councils. They:
- represent their local community
- deliver services to meet local needs
- work to improve the quality of life for residents in their parish or town.
Like County, District and Unitary Councils, they have councillors elected by their local community (usually every four years coinciding with a District Council election) and raise money through council tax and other means to run public services.
There are 10,000 local councils in England, and 100,000 councillors serving in them, and investing over £1 billion into their local communities each year.
What they do varies across the country. In Devon there are over 400 Town and Parish Councils providing and maintaining a range of local services including allotments, bridleways, burial grounds, bus shelters, car parks, commons and open spaces, community transport schemes, community safety and crime reduction measures, events and festivals, footpaths, leisure and sports facilities, litter bins, public toilets, street cleaning and lighting, tourism activities, traffic calming measures, village greens and youth projects. They also have input into the planning process in their area and any local plans.
You can find out who your local parish or town councillors are from the council's Clerk or often there is a list on the parish noticeboard or website.
Like other councils, Town and Parish Councils must open their meetings and committees to the general public and press, except in very exceptional circumstances. You cannot speak while normal business is being conducted, but there will usually be some time set aside for residents to address the council on issues that concern them. The time and place of meetings must be advertised at least three days in advance, usually on the parish noticeboard or website.
To find details of your local Town or Parish Council, please search Pinpoint, our online directory of community services in Devon.
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