Parish Councils currently have a limited number of duties but they all impact directly on the community. The following are all under the remit of local councils:
Allotments
Burial Grounds, Cemeteries, Churchyards and Crematoria
Bus Shelters
Bye-laws – the power to make bye-laws concerning: baths and washhouses (swimming pools), cycle parks, mortuaries and pleasure grounds
Clocks – public clocks can be provided and must be maintained
Community Centres, Conference Centres, Halls, Public Buildings (the Wimbish Village Hall is owned by a registered charity on behalf of the community and is managed by an elected committee independently of the parish council)
Drainage – of ditches and ponds
Entertainment and the Arts
Footpaths
General Spending – parish councils can spend a limited amount of money on anything they deem of benefit to the community that is not covered by the other specific responsibilities described in this list
Gifts – parish councils may accept gifts
Highways – lighting, parking places, right to enter into discussions about new roads and road widening, consent of parish council required for diversion or discontinuation of highway, traffic signs and other notices, tree planting and verge maintenance
Land – acquisition and sale of
Legal proceedings – power to prosecute and defend any legal proceedings in the interests of the community, power to take part in any public enquiry
Litter – provision of litter-bins and support for any anti-litter campaigns
Planning – parish councils must be notified of, and display for residents, any planning applications for the area. Any comments submitted to the planning authority by the parish council must be taken into account
Postal and Telecommunication Facilities – power to pay a public telecommunications operator any loss sustained in providing services in that area
Public conveniences – provision and maintenance of public toilets
Recreation – provision of recreation grounds, public walkways, pleasure grounds, open spaces, village greens and commons, gymnasiums, playing fields, holiday camps and boating ponds
Rights of Way – footpath and bridleway maintenance
Seats (public)
Signs – danger signs, place names and bus stops signs
Tourism – financial contributions to any local tourist organisations allowed
Traffic Calming
War Memorials
Water Supply – power to utilise stream, well or spring water and to provide facilities for general use
