Alvechurch Parish Council

What does your Parish Council do all year?

A good question! The standard answer is that we are the first tier (local council) of a three tier system of local government, with Bromsgrove District Council, and Worcestershire County Council (local authorities) being the next two tiers, all elected by people in the area.

Parish and Town Councils were formed by an act of parliament in 1894, to look after the interests of those who live within the parish/town community, with the District and County Councils being responsible for health, police, education, planning, litter, public transport & highways amongst other things.

Parish and Town Councils do however have a wide and varied range of powers in relation to the provision of services and facilities which can and does bring direct benefit to the local community.

What we are not is possibly easier to list.

• We are nothing to do with the church, who are governed by Parochial Councils (PCC)
• We are not politically affiliated
• We are not “residents” associations or “lobby” groups
• Parish councillors are not paid
•  

However, what we do is represent the residents who live within our Parish in matters of local government. Some of these include:

• Local Planning (which covers anything from satellite dishes to new developments and roads)
• Economic development
• Environmental matters
• Community projects
• Leisure and recreation
• Contact with the District and County Council
• Complaints(!)
• Information and advice

As Alvechurch continues to grow and prosper, the representational aspect becomes increasingly more important. Decisions taken by the District and County Councils may vitally affect the quality of life within our town, therefore the role of the Parish Council is of utmost importance.