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Your Parish Council

Parish Council Powers

An overview of the statutory powers and duties available to Kea Parish Council and how council decisions are made.

How parish council powers work

Kea Parish Council is a statutory local authority. It can act where legislation gives parish and town councils a power or places a duty on them. Some powers allow the council to provide a service directly; others allow it to contribute funding, work with another authority or make representations on behalf of residents.

Where a duty applies, the council must meet it. Where a power is discretionary, councillors decide in public meetings whether using that power is appropriate, affordable and in the interests of the parish.

Areas where parish councils may act

Depending on the circumstances and the legislation available, parish councils may have powers relating to:

  • community buildings, recreation grounds, play areas, open spaces and allotments;
  • public seats, shelters, signs, noticeboards, clocks, lighting and other local amenities;
  • footpaths, rights of way, roadside verges and local highway or traffic measures undertaken with the relevant highway authority;
  • community safety, crime prevention, emergency planning and local resilience;
  • environmental and biodiversity projects, tree planting and improvements to public spaces;
  • community events, arts, heritage, tourism and support for voluntary organisations; and
  • burial grounds, memorials and other facilities where the council has responsibility for them.

Planning

Kea Parish Council is not the local planning authority and does not determine planning applications. Cornwall Council makes planning decisions, but the Parish Council is consulted on applications affecting the parish and can submit local comments and representations.

General Power of Competence

An eligible parish council may resolve to use the General Power of Competence when it meets the statutory conditions. Where available, this gives a broader power to act, subject to the restrictions that apply to local authorities. Eligibility and use of the power must be considered formally by the council.

How powers are exercised

Council powers are exercised through properly made decisions, supported by the council budget and its financial and governance procedures. Agendas and minutes show the decisions taken by councillors, while the Finance and Policies sections contain the supporting statutory documents and procedures.

View meetings and agendas   View finance documents   View council policies

This page is a practical overview rather than a complete statement of the legislation applying to parish and town councils.