Fulmodeston with Barney Parish Council

​The Parish Council

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The Parish Council is apolitical.

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It can, and does, do many things –

1. Planning applications – the PC is a statutory consultant on all planning applications made within the parish. Recent examples have been a barn conversion – supported; construction of duck rearing units – opposed; wind farm cabling – many concerns.

2. Broadband – trying to get a better Broadband service throughout the parish.

3. Mains Drainage – working with Anglian Water to provide continuous support for our parishes new mains drainage system that has now been completed.

4. Roads – meeting with and corresponding with Norfolk County Council Highways Department to reduce flooding, repair the roads and fill potholes.

5. Playing Fields – providing funding for the maintenance of the playing fields in Barney and Fulmodeston.

6. Rights of Way – communicating with landowners and NCC Rights of Way officers to ensure that paths are kept open and accessible for all.

7. Traffic Management [Speeding] – in the past the PC has supported a Speedwatch scheme throughout the parish. This was discontinued because of lack of volunteers. SAM 2 speed measurement system is currently in operation within the Parish.

8. North Norfolk District Council and Norfolk County Council – liaison with our elected District and County Councillors [who are usually in attendance at PC meetings].

9. PC meetings – 6 meetings are held each year with agendas and Minutes placed on 3 parish noticeboards and on the parish website. The meetings are open to the public and an opportunity to speak and express views is always provided.

10. Police – a police representative is always invited to attend meetings. Following budget cuts, there has been no police officer at our meetings for many months. The Police and Crime Commissioner says that this is due to the severe reductions in police numbers following budget cuts.

11. Precept – the PC is financed by a precept set each year. The amount appears within, and is collected through, your annual council tax bill from the District Council. We are currently supporting a Wells Town Council initiative in trying to get the 5% second homes tax paid direct to parish and town councils rather than into the District and County general budget. Audited accounts are published annually.

12. Property – the council owns 3 plots of land, all in Barney, which are let out by tender on a 3 year cycle. The PC also owns the 3 bus shelters and 3 noticeboards in the parish. The PC provides insurance for these assets. The PC financially supports the 2 parish newsletters.

13. Clerk – the PC employs a part-time clerk to overlook the clerical and admin role of the council and to advise the councillors on procedure.

14. Elections – parish councillors are elected every 4 years and are unpaid. Between elections casual vacancies may be filled by co-option. There are currently 7 councillors. In recent years no councillors have claimed any expenses, although they are perfectly entitled to. The PC elects a Chair and Vice-Chair annually from within the council. Details of all current councillors [parish, district and county] and the clerk are on all the noticeboards and on the website.

15. The PC has certain powers in respect of burial grounds and cemeteries covered by Acts of Parliament from 1906 onwards.

16. Grants – the PC can source grants for parish assets and give small grants to external organisations [e.g. Air Ambulance, Citizens Advice Bureau, etc]

17. Call public meetings: e.g. planning, mains drainage, etc.’