The Local Government Act 1972 states that ‘for every parish there shall be an Annual Parish Meeting for the purpose of discussing parish affairs’. Parish Meetings are quite distinct from meetings of the Parish Council, although the two are often confused. An Annual Parish Meeting must take place between 1st March and the 1st June (inclusive). Meetings should not commence before 6.00 pm.
Purpose of the Annual Parish Meeting
The meeting acts as an annual democratic point of communication enabling the Parish Council to explain what it has been doing over the last year and providing an opportunity for the electors to have their say on anything they consider is important to the people of the Parish. It could also include an update from the Dorset Councillor and the meeting can invite local groups or interested parties to attend.
Who can attend the meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting is a meeting of all the local government electors for the Parish, which the public are entitled to attend and participate in.
Who will chair the meeting?
The Chair of the Parish Council will chair the meeting or in their absence the Vice Chair.
Will Parish Councillors be there?
Yes, however at a Parish Meeting, with the exception of the Chair, Councillors rank the same as other members of the public electorate. Any person on the electoral register of the parish is entitled to speak at a Parish Meeting, at a meeting of the Parish Council members of the public may speak only at the Chair’s discretion. If a vote is necessary on any item, all have an equal vote Councillors and members of the public and the decision is by majority.