What We Do
Parish Councils were formed in England in the Local Government Act of 1894 to take over local oversight of civic duties in rural towns and villages. Prior to this date, a variety of groups based around ecclesiastical parishes had responsibility for these matters in a system of local government that originated in the feudal system of the 8th century. The 1894 Act also helped to break the power of the Church of England over the lives on non-conformists, with the transfer of all non-ecclesiastical functions to elected parish councils.
The role of Parish Councils was not defined particularly well, so difficulties continued until the 1972 Local Government Act was passed. This, along with other legislation, forms the structure under which all Parish Councils operate today.
The term of office of a Parish Councillor is 4 years, and Councils are elected en bloc - the most recent election was in May 2015. There are 9 seats on Langtree Parish Council and the Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected each year at the meeting in May. Periodically there may be an option to join the Council as a co-opted Councillor if a seat becomes vacate between elections.
Langtree Parish Council raises money through the ‘precept’ which is collected from Langtree and Stibb Cross residents by Torrington District Council, along with the council tax. This is then paid to Langtree Parish Council in 2 equal instalments each year during April and September.
The Parish Council has power to provide various facilities, but apart from the salary for the clerk (who deals with all the admin and correspondence), over recent years, the precept has been spent on various items including the Parish Hall, grass cutting around the village, water supplies to the Butts Meadow allotments and towards the maintenance and enhancements around the parish.
Representatives from the local police team and our County and District Councillors liaise closely with the Parish Council to resolve any problems that arise or to give advice when needed. The Councillors consider planning applications submitted to Torrington District Council, for any development in the Parish and any other matter that may be presented to them either by Torridge District Council or by Parishioners.
The Parish Council hold 12 meetings each year, which are held in the Parish Hall on the second Thursday of each month. Additional meetings may also be called to discuss Planning Applications if a decision is required outside the usual meeting timescale.
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