PC Elections

WHAT DOES BEING A PARISH COUNCILLOR INVOLVE?

The main requirement is to be interested in village life, and in wanting to help maintain Langford as a thriving rural community.

In terms of formal meetings the PC meets every 2 months, so six times a year (with occasional additional meetings if something urgent comes up). Meetings are on Thursday evenings in the Village Hall (and last a maximum of 2 hours),

Most of the PC’s business is done at our formal meetings, although In between meetings there is usually a bit of stuff to do – Caroline, as Clerk, may circulate documents or emails on which we need to comment, or there may be planning applications which need some study, or occasionally there is an event (such as the Queen’s Jubilee) which the PC organises and councillors muck to help plan and run (along with plenty of other volunteers).

Councillors often have some particular interest or expertise which they want to contribute – on planning or environmental matters for example.

WHAT ARE THE PARISH COUNCIL’S RESPONSIBILITIES?

Planning matters

The PC has the right to comment on, support or object to all planning applications in Langford parish. We don’t decide on applications (that’s a West Oxfordshire District Council role) but we try to work with both applicants and WODC planners to ensure that applications are appropriate for a rural village and conservation area.

In the past the PC has taken the initiative on local social housing developments – the Church Bungalows, Hook’s Close and The Wickets all started as PC initiatives. This continues as one of the council’s key responsibilities.

The PC tried very hard during the recent sales of Lower and Rectory Farms to acquire a small amount of land for the village. Unfortunately we were not successful but this is an example of an interesting project on which the PC has worked in recent times.

Environmental matters

We see one of our main responsibilities as keeping a watchful eye on the local environment, not just in terms of planning developments, but also to do what we can to ensure its long term health. As we don’t own any land this often means working constructively with local landowners and government agencies – for example on flood prevention or maintaining public rights of way.

Managing parish facilities

We don’t have many parish facilities, mainly the playground. This was a PC initiative, and we now ensure that the playground is properly maintained and kept in good repair.

Village maintenance activities

With less money now available to County and District councils the PC has taken on a few more basic maintenance tasks – some weed spraying and verge mowing for example. We organise the annual Litter Pick.

Organising village events

The PC puts on a number of events that happen each year – the Remembrance Sunday ceremony and putting up the village Christmas tree are two examples.

We also take on the organisation of occasional events that mark special occasions – such as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee or the King’s Coronation.

For more detailed guidance on being a Parish Councillor please take a look at The Good Councillors Guide.