Parish Council
Parish Council Autumn Newsletter 2006
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCILAND BURIAL AUTHORITY Autumn Newsletter 2006 Our Quality Parish Since the launch of the Quality Parish and Town Council Scheme by the Government in 2003, councils from all over England have steadily gained quality parish status – and King’s Somborne Parish Council can now join this elite group AND we are the first parish council in the Test Valley area to have achieved this. By achieving quality status, parish councils can demonstrate they are representative, in touch with their communities, competent, and capable of taking on an enhanced role. In the longer term, this assurance of quality will help smooth the way for the formation of partnerships with principal authorities, enabling projects and initiatives which reflect the needs and preferences of the community to be put in place. In order to achieve this status, the council and its clerk were required to prove to an independent accreditation panel of experts, by means of a comprehensive portfolio of evidence, that we complied with the law, had the best interests of the community at heart, and that we were effectively and properly managed. In particular, the accreditation panel looked at the electoral mandate and the number of councillors who were elected as opposed to co-opted (we are 100% elected), the clerk holds a recognised qualification in local government, the conduct of meetings, in particular, were they open to the public (all of our meetings are open to the public), and how councillors communicate and interact with those living in the parish. Government hopes that accreditation will, amongst other things, enhance the confidence of the electorate in its parish council which is, after all, the first tier of government in this country. The Parish Plan The Council is actively following up on the comments contained in the Parish Plan and is in the process of implementing those aspects of it which fall within its area of responsibility whilst encouraging other external agencies to do likewise. Examples include a tree planting programme soon to be implemented around the Village, closer liaison with the police on speeding traffic – we hope soon to have a flashing warning sign on trial, improvements to the sport and recreation facilities in the Parish – there is active work on installing a trim trial and tennis courts,, a new kissing gate has been installed at the church access point to Palace Field to assist disabled and push chair users, two additional village notice boards have been erected, and a Village Hall Development Committee has been established to raise capital funds to protect the long term future of the hall which provides a vital focal point for the community. We’re moving forward. The Clerk may be contacted on 01794 389688 or by e-mail: kingssomborne.pc@btconnect.com