What is a Parish Council?
A Parish Council is a small local authority which is community based and the most accessible tier of local government. Parish Councils are statutory bodies. Councillors are elected for a term of four years and councils are funded principally by an annual precept. Parish councils can apply for other funding such as grant and funding awards, but they do not receive funds direct from central government.

How many councillors are on the Parish Council?
Currently, Colwick Parish Council has 6 councillors who try to ensure that the views of the community are taken into account by the various authorities, agencies and organisations that make legislation and take decisions on services and issues effecting the community. Councillors are elected every 4 years but can be co-opted should a vacancy arise. The maximum number of councillors we can have is 9 and therefore we are looking for other members of the community to join us. Each Parish councillor is unpaid and donates their time voluntarily on top of their work and family commitments.

What does the Parish Council do?
Our work includes having an overview of all planning applications within Colwick Village, providing a litter picker to keep the streets clean, the organisation and day to day administration of the Colwick Community Centre on Vale Road and the employment of staff at that centre.

What doesn’t the Parish Council do?
We are not to be confused with Gedling Borough Council or Nottinghamshire County Council who deal with lighting, waste collection, highways, footpaths and general infrastructure such as care for the elderly, or road repairs. We tend to deal only with items that work best at the local level. However, if you are unsure then please contact the Parish Council for advice as to where to direct your enquiry.

How much do the Parish Councils cost?
Parish Councils get no central government grant so raise the majority of the income from a precept, an amount that the electors pay through their Council Tax. You will see the precept amount itemised on your annual council bill from Gedling Borough Council. Parish councillors are unpaid and very rarely have expenses as they are local to the community so cannot be grouped into any current expenses rows. Parish Councils are also non-political and so no time or resources are wasted on Party political discussions or disagreements.