COUNCILLORS
The Parish Council is your voice in the attractive North Norfolk villages of Bacton and Edingthorpe. We usually meet on the second Monday of alternate months (usually January, March, May, July, September and November) and we represent the interests of our two villages. Council meetings are held in public in Bacton Village Hall, starting at 7pm unless otherwise notified. See Meetings page for dates.
About the Parish Council
Parish councils do have quite a few powers (though some of these are quite obscure) and we are consulted about many things that affect the villages. We can be a focal point for matters of concern. We are keen to promote our villages and are always receptive to ideas and suggestions.
We are often confronted by people who say "Why doesn't the parish council do........?" The reality is that all of us who are councillors are volunteers: we give our time for freely and all parish councillors do much more for the village than simply attending meetings. Our resources are limited, but we can achieve a lot so long as we get the support of the people who live in our community. So next time you feel like a grumble at the parish council, come along to a meeting and say "Why don't we all get together and......?" or something along those lines!
Parish Councillors
Susan Holden (Chair) - 01692 652976
Richard Kimble - 01692 652239
Ian Witham
01692 650530
Nigel Lee - 07562 389815
Coral Salih - 07598 873371
Jan Rush - 07852 668051
Stephen Humphreys-White - 01692 402998
Clerk@Bactonandedingthorpepc@gmail.com
Gill Cullingford - 01692 218599
Christine Smith - 07776 071426
District and County Councillors
North Norfolk District Councillor: Pauline Porter
Pauline.Porter@north-norfolk.gov.uk - 01263 802783 or 0774436254
Norfolk County Councillor: Ed Maxfield - 01263 721599
Ever thought of becoming a councillor?
Parish councils are a very important part of our democracy in this country. Even though they are the lowest level of local authority, they are arguably the most important, especially in country areas as they represent the villages they serve.
Bacton and Edingthorpe Parish Council is no different. We are a group of volunteers who give our time to try to enhance and support the villages of Bacton and Edingthorpe. We are receptive to new ideas and suggestions and use the council's resources where we believe they are most needed.
But a parish council can only be as good as its members (and only if it is backed by the village it serves). Our budget is tiny compared to other government bodies, but by being resourceful we CAN make a difference to our villages.
We need more support. We do not have our full quota of councillors (we are allowed up to 11). The more we have the more we can achieve - and we are always on the look out for new ideas, new faces and fresh blood.
There was no election for parish councillors at the last election as not enough people have stood to fill all the vacancies. However, the parish council can always co-opt up to the full number (11). If you would like to join us, please contact our clerk.
The Role of a Councillor
They are elected to represent the interest of the local community as a whole and promote a harmonious local environment. The number of elected Councillors depends on the size of the area, in Bacton and Edingthorpe we are able to have 11 Councillors.
Local Councils are the first tier of governance and are the first point of contact for anyone concerned with a community issue. They are democratically elected local authorities and exist in England, Wales and Scotland. The term 'Local Council' is synonymous with ' Parish Council, 'Town Council' and 'Community Council'.
Local Councils are made up of locally elected Councillors. They are legally obliged to hold at least four meetings a year. Most meet on a monthly cycle to discuss council business and hear from local residents. District and County Councillors regularly attend parish meetings and report at the Annual Parish meeting. Councillors are expected to attend meetings on a regular basis.
Councillors must abide by a Code of Conduct, a set of rules on how Councillors are expected to behave. They must also declare their financial interests in the parish, details of which are kept by the District Council.