Parish Meetings

Parish Meetings

Parish Meetings

What is the Annual Parish Meeting?

Strictly this is the Annual Meeting of the Parish. It is also known as the Annual Parish Meeting and as the Annual Parish Assembly, they are all the same thing.

The Annual Parish Meeting is the meeting where the parish council report to its electorate on what it has accomplished in the preceding year Electors, public and press are invited are the to hear reports from the Chairman, District Councillors, community groups and any organisation that the town or parish council has funded during the year.

The Annual Parish Meeting is a SEPARATE meeting from the Parish Council Annual Meeting. The Annual Parish Meeting should be a relatively informal event for the community whereas the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council is a formal council meeting.

The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council must be held in the month of May and in an election year the meeting must be held between 4 and 14 days after polling day. This is the meeting of the parish council where they elect the chairman, make other annual appointments and review their insurance, risk management policies, etc.

When must the Annual Parish Meeting be held?

The annual parish meeting must be held between 1st March and the 1st June (inclusive) each year on a date decided by the Parish Council.

The Annual Parish Meeting may not start earlier than 6:00pm.

It is recommended that in an election year the Annual Parish Meeting should be held after the elections.

How should the Annual Parish Meeting be conducted?

There should be an opportunity for the public and press to express their opinions on what the council are doing during the meeting.

Many town and parish councils make this meeting a community event by providing refreshments, presentations from community groups and providing an informal atmosphere.

Calling the Annual Parish Meeting

The Annual Parish Meeting is usually called by the Chairman of the Parish Council.

However, any parish meeting may be called by:

• The Chairman of the Parish Council,

• Any 2 Councillors from the parish,

• Any 6 registered electors from the parish

Chairing the Annual Parish Meeting

The meeting should be chaired by the Parish Council Chairman or in their absence the Parish Council Vice Chairman.