The Parish Council

Farnham Royal Parish Council is made up of 11 councillors, all independent, elected every four years. If a vacancy occurs during a term then (if a poll is not called within a statutory period) the remaining councillors can co-opt new members to fill a vacancy. The post is unpaid and councillors give their time on a voluntary basis. There are 11 Council meetings each year, which are open to the public, with time allowed for public comment. A variety of parish issues are discussed but there is much that is done outside the meetings in working groups.

The responsibilities of the Parish Council include:

• Planning issues (although it can only comment and raise objections -it has no power to take decisions on planning matters);
• Maintaining open spaces within the villages;
• Street lighting (over 200 lamp standards come under the parish council’s remit);
• Public toilets, litter, bus shelters and benches.

Many of the initiatives to improve life in the villages are also due to the Council – for example, the flowers and Christmas lighting as well as Carols at The Dell.

The Council also works closely with Buckinghamshire Council with regard to environmental issues, traffic management, road safety and highway maintenance; and the Police with regard to neighbourhood policing.