Coming on 14th May at the Village Hall, the Bishop Monkton Annual Parish Meeting!

What is its purpose?

An Annual Parish Meeting is a statutory public gathering held each year in England by all Parish Councils, typically between March 1st and June 1st. It’s an opportunity for the Parish Council to report on its activities and for residents (electors) to have their say on parish matters. It’s not a formal meeting of the Parish Council, but an open forum for community discussion and participation.

It provides for:

·      Accountability: The Parish Council uses the meeting to explain their work and activities over the past year.

·      Citizen Engagement: It’s a platform for residents to raise issues, ask questions, and suggest ideas to the Parish Council.

·      Community Forum: It provides a space for residents to discuss matters of concern and engage with local organisations.

Key Features:

·      Open to all electors: All registered electors of the parish can attend, speak, and vote.

·      Informal setting: While the meeting follows a standard agenda, it’s generally more informal than a formal council meeting.

·      No legal binding force for resolutions: Any resolutions passed at the meeting are not legally binding on the Parish Council.

·      Chair: The Chair of the Parish Council (or their vice-chair) presides over the meeting.

Relationship to Parish Council Meetings:

The Annual Parish Meeting is separate from the Parish Council’s annual meeting, which is a formal council meeting

In essence, the Annual Parish Meeting is a democratic forum where residents can hold their local council accountable and participate in shaping the future of their community.

Want to participate?

Any Group or individual who wants to book a formal speaking spot please contact the Clerk, Sue Reid at clerk@bishopmonkton-pc.gov.uk to be included in the agenda. The meeting will be thrown open to residents to have their say at the end of the booked presentations.