Harpley Parish Council

The Parish Council is the first tier of local government, there to serve the village. A councillor must be over 18 and a qualifying citizen and be eligible to vote or be resident in the parish.

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All councillors are volunteers and the fact that they come from different backgrounds adds strength to the team. The chairman is the team leader and the clerk gives administrative support. Vacancies can be filled by candidates standing for election or by co-option if there are insufficient candidates for vacant seats at an election.

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The election occurs every four years but casual vacancies may occur as councillors resign and these posts will be advertised. By putting forward suitable candidates, and voting, you can be confident that the council is your community’s choice and that the council will represent your interests. You can nominate any suitable candidate that meets the requirements.

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The councillors act together to serve the village. They have certain legal powers e.g. to raise money through the precept, but few actual duties, that is things that they must do, but they should always represent the community interest.

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After election or co-option, each councillor must sign a declaration of acceptance and abide by the Code of Conduct. They must also declare their pecuniary (financial) interests in the parish, details of which are kept on a Register at King's Lynn & West Norfolk District Council and follow the council’s Standing Orders that govern the way that the council operates.

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Transparency and proper attention to the law are essential requirements as the parish council is dealing with your money.