Parish Council
The Parish Council is a corporate body and is granted its powers by Parliament, including raising money through council tax (the Precept). It represents the first tier of local government and has spending powers which it exercises to improve the quality of life and local environment of Stoke and its residents. The Parish Council also seeks to influence other decision-making bodies (principally the District and County Councils) on issues such as planning and delivers services to meet local needs.
What does the Parish Council do?
The principal topics with which the Parish Council concerns itself include community safety, housing, street lighting, allotments, cemetery, community open spaces, litter, the War Memorial, seats and shelters, Rights of Way and footpaths plus some involvement in planning, transport and highways. The Parish Council also provides financial support to local groups and organisations through its Grant policy in order to support their activities within the community.
The Council has three Working Groups, Finance, Planning and HR which make recommendations to the full Council for approval. The Finance Working Group oversees the Budget, procurement and the Risk Register & Management Plan. The Planning Working Group examine each planning application in detail and keep up to date with the District Council’s Local Plan which sets out long term strategy for South Somerset in housing, employment etc.
Who are the Parish Council?
The Parish Council currently comprises 11 local volunteers who are elected for a 4-year term of office and who have a variety of responsibilities. Due to the elections being brought in line with the Unitary Authority elections the current term of office is 5 years and runs to May 2027. The Parish Clerk who is employed by the Parish Council attends meeting and records decisions taken and ensures that these are implemented.
Each year at the Annual Parish Council meeting, the Parish Council elects a Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Councillors Lyn Foley and Owen Setter are the current Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively.
Parish Councillors
| Name | Responsibility |
|---|---|
Denise Burton |
Highways, HR, Planning, Play Inspection - Memorial Hall |
Helen Essex |
Neighbourhood Watch |
Lyn Foley |
Chairman, Defibrillators, Finance, Highways, HR |
Paul Goulder |
Finance, Hamdon Youth Group, Highways, Planning |
Richard Holder |
Hamdon Youth Group |
Moira Hulett |
Footpaths, Hamdon Youth Group, Highways, Planning, Sports & Recreation Trust |
Rebecca Merrick |
Finance, Highways |
Graham Middleton |
Finance, Highways |
Suzanne Nelms |
Allotments - Stonehill, Friends of Ham Hill, Play Area Inspections - Stonehill |
Michael Phillips |
Vice Chairman, SID, Transport Strategy Group |