There are some 8,350 Parish Councils in England and approximately 70,000 Councillors in England. There is no financial gain for being a Councillor.

The Council is a corporate body with a legal existence of its own quite separate from that of its members. Its decisions are the responsibility of the whole body. The Council has been granted powers by Parliament including the important authority to raise money through taxation (the precept) and a range of powers to spend public money.

The Council is an elected tier of local government. Other tiers, known as principle authorities, have a legal duty to deliver services such as education, town and country planning, environmental health and social services.

Parish Councils have the legal power to take action but have fewer duties. Parish Councils can play a vital part in representing the interests of the communities they serve and improving quality of life and the local environment.

The good councillor's guide