Grass Roots Democracy - TrustNews February 1991
The Trust is grateful to Pamela Peskett for writing this article for the Newsletter. She is, of course, on the Council of the Trust, and elaborates here on a subject mentioned in her Mayoral address last May - the virtues of Parish Councils and why they could be of value to cities like Winchester.
I was very proud when my daughter was voted on to her Parish Council last May on the same evening that I was re-elected to represent the St. Bartholomew ward of the City District Council.
In my address when I was elected Mayor I expressed the wish to see Parish Councils or their equivalent available to electors living within the City boundaries.
Coming to politics after many years as an active member of the consumer movement I see Council matters from the point of view of the consumer first and foremost. I became aware of the grumbling that went unheard, the resulting apathy, the frustration and anger that could happen because there was no sounding board on which citizens could air their views, have their say, be consulted, as there is outside our City in the parishes. Outside, but not so very far away, at places such as Badger Farm, Olivers Battery and Harestock, people have the full benefit of a Parish Council and "having their say".
I should mention here that I am referring to the civil parish and not those historically linked to the churches which have their own parochial church councils.
History and the Status Quo
Before local government re-organisation in 1974 the City of Winchester had its own Council and the rest of the District was served by Rural District Councils.
After 1974 the whole district (which extends from Micheldever in the north to Denmead and Southwick in the south) was administered by the Winchester City District Council with fifty five councillors of whom eighteen represent the one third of the electorate (24,266 people) who live in the City itself in the six wards.
These six wards are served by two County Councillors; one for Eastgate Division covering the wards of Saints Bartholomew, John and Michael. The other for Westgate Division covering the wards of Saints Barnabas, Luke and Paul.
Whilst sitting as a Councillor it has become increasingly obvious to me that people who live in places where there is a Parish Council have an enormous advantage over those who live in the unparished City. Of course we do have fortunately several active Residents' Associations but they do not carry the statutory clout of a Parish Council.
The Parish Council
The Parish Council's role as expressor of local opinion, provider of basic services and promoter of community-based action is now well established and the majority of them have an excellent track record in all respects.
The fact that they are democratically elected, have a range of legal rights and powers and operate within defined laws and guidelines means that they have distinct advantages as grass-roots executive bodies over other sorts of community organisations.
The position of the one third of the district's electorate who live within the (unparished) City has become increasingly unfair.
They have:- *
- no statutory rights of consultation over planning and other proposals
- no legal rights to precept money from public sources to spend on activities of local benefit
- no fully democratic forum for discussing and taking action on local issues with an expectation that their voices will be heard
They also miss out on opportunities which are commonplace in parished areas, such as the right to appoint some school governors and to play a part in the day to day administration of services such as public transport.
The Parish Council acts as a local watchdog and also functions as a catalyst for the formation of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and Twinning Associations. It has:-
- powers to develop and improve knowledge of the Arts
- powers over the maintenance of public footpaths
- powers to provide halls for public meetings and functions, sport, etc.
- power regarding footway lighting
- powers over public parks and car parks, seats, shelters and signs
- powers to prosecute and defend any legal proceedings in the interests of the inhabitants
- powers to take part in any public enquiry
Map showing size of Winchester City District Council
Click to enlarge
Parish Councils have a right to be notified of any planning applications affecting their area and to make comments which the planning authority must take into account. Residents likely to be affected by an application are usually alerted by the Parish Council and then have the opportunity to discuss the matter fully with them before it sends its comments in to the District Planning Authority.
These are just some of the powers which have been extracted from a longer list.
Recently I have become acutely aware through chairing meetings of the Winchester Sports Council and the Winchester Twinning Forum how little room for action there is for these groups. They have no legal status and no way of implementing their decisions. Councillors who sit on them and the relevant District Council committee may very well not be of the eighteen City Councillors with local knowledge, and decisions may be taken from the financial view point only, with no consideration given to other ways of achieving their aims, and no encouragement to create funds by local fund-raising activities. I feel much more could be achieved, at less cost, by the grassroots approach.
Parish Councils are the most unbureaucratic and the cheapest kind of local authority in existence, their funds are a tiny part of the community charge.
Members are elected every four years. Anyone on the electoral roll may stand for election. Candidates do not carry a party political label.
The only way we can achieve this level of democracy is if you, the people, demonstrate that this is what you want.
The Hampshire Association of Parish Councils is happy to talk to interested groups and explain what is involved. Let's take up their offer - it's an opportunity too good to miss.
Please write to me at Abbey House and let me have your views.
* Local Council Review - Autumn 1989