Eccleshall Parish Council was formed in 1894 and is one of the largest Parishes in Staffordshire with some 20,000 acres and 133 public Rights of Way.
The Parish Council is not a political body and is made up of 15 councillors representing four wards – Eccleshall, Croxton, Horsley and Slindon.
The Clerk is the only employee and holds the professional Certificate in Local Council Administration and the Certificate of Higher Education in Community Governance.
The Council has five active Committees – Policy and Resources, Traffic Management, Enhancements, Footpaths and Events. Members are encouraged to sit on at least one committee and to attend training sessions. Individual members undertake responsibility for carrying out risk assessments on Council property and helping to maintain items where possible.
The Parish Council meets on the third Wednesday in every month, with the exception of August and December. The Planning Committee meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The other committees meet approximately every 2-3 months, also on the first Wednesday of the month. Dates are planned in advance and can be viewed on the calendar tab of this website. All meetings are open to the public.
The Parish Council supports the Ecclian Society and finances the watering of the posts and mangers in the summer months and also the purchase of the Christmas Trees. Carols around the Christmas Tree is an annual event organised by the Parish Council, in addition a Civic Service is held each year in the Autumn and the Council is represented at the Remembrance Day Parade.
The Council undertakes the grounds maintenance of a number of open spaces within the parish and is active in rights of way maintenance. It owns the Jubilee playing field off Hartlands Road, land off the Eyeswell footpath, Elford Heath and Croxton play area. It owns and maintains a number of assets which includes a large number of benches, bus shelters, noticeboards and 3 phone boxes.
Eccleshall Community Centre and Allotments are also owned by the Parish Council, although both are run by separate Associations. Eccleshall Parish Council has created a picnic site at Copmere, been instrumental in the refurbishment of the High Street and resurfacing of The Eyeswells Footpath, and erected a Millennium Clock and Village Sign. A grant obtained from the Staffordshire Environmental Fund was used to install a Play Area at Croxton. In recent years, the Council has also completed a project to improve Elford Heath pool and surrounds, introduced 4 mobile speed indication devices that rotate between 8 locations and installed outdoor gym equipment adjacent to the Community Centre and on the Jubilee Playing field off Hartlands Road.
Further support is also given to local community organisations via a small grants scheme. Details regarding eligibility and the grant awarding application process can be found by clicking here
To find out more about becoming a councillor and the role of a parish council please click here