This website has been developed and is managed by Thornham Parish Council to explain how the Parish Council works for the community.
The Council meets once a month, on the second Wednesday, in the Village Hall at Thornham, except for August.
Members of the public are invited to attend all meetings of the Council but may not take part in the debates. However, at the start of the main meeting there is a time set aside for members of the public to make any comments that they would like to bring to the attention of Councillors. Comments may be on any subject of concern to the Council, including items that are to be discussed later, or on other issues entirely.
However, in the latter case the public are asked to bear in mind that legally the Council can only discuss items that have been advertised in the published agenda. Therefore, members of the public introducing new subjects may have to wait until the following meeting before the Council is able to debate the matter.
What is a Parish Council?
Parish or Town Councils are an important tier of Government within the UK; a Parish/Town Council is the smallest and most localised tier of local government in the UK and is a properly constituted local authority.
The powers and duties, and the manner in which a Parish Council operates are laid out in local government statute and regulations; Parish Councils operate at a level below national government and also below district and borough councils. Parish & Town Councils are elected and can help on a number of local issues, like planning applications or running local sports grounds and community halls.
The Parish Council has legal responsibilities as an employer, and sometimes as an owner of public land and buildings.
Parish Councils are Statutory Bodies, having powers under a number of different Acts (the Local Government Act 1972, the Public Health Act 1936, etc.). Only a few Councils need to use all their available powers. It is up to each Council to choose what is appropriate for the community they serve.
The Council raises funds by the annual Precept is set in January of each year. The amount required is guided by the setting of the annual budget in the November preceding.
The Parish Council precept is added to the Council Tax bill and collected by Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk (on behalf of the Parish Council).
The Council also raises funds through grants from other organisations.
Parish Councillors
We will endeavour to keep the information provided on our own site accurate and up to date.
If you spot any errors or omissions please contact us by email so that we can investigate and correct.