Walton Parish Council is  a local authority that makes decisions on behalf of the people in the parish and has an overall responsibility for the well-being of its local community.  It is the level government closest to the community, currently with Mendip district council above it in the hierarchy but soon that will be the new Somerset Council.

As it is the parish council closest to the people, they can invariably the first place people  go with concerns or ideas.  For this reason they are a vital part of any community.

Its work falls into three main categories:

  • representing the local community
  • delivering services to meet local needs
  • striving to improve quality of life in the parish

What decisions do Parish Councils make?

Parish councils make all kinds of decisions on issues that affect the local community.  Probably the most common topics that parish councils get involved with are planning matters (they are statutory consultees), crime prevention, helping local groups, managing open spaces, speeding and road safety, and campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities.

It’s true to say that on their own, parish councils have limited powers to make decisions.  But they do have the ability to negotiate with, and the power to influence, those other organisations that do make the final decisions (such as the district or unitary council, health authorities, police etc).

In this respect parish councils are extremely powerful.  The organisations that make the final decisions know that a parish council gives the best reflection of how a community feels about something, and its views will be taken seriously.

Councils usually meet once a month for the council meeting, to which members of the public are also invited.  Meetings generally last two hours, depending on  the agenda set for the meeting to discuss. If you have a concern or an idea that you would like the council to discuss then please contact us or come along to a meeting.

In addition….

Walton Parish Council makes small grants to groups and organisations that contribute and enhance the life and community of the village.

This process starts in the Autumn, with grants being awarded in the spring.

if you would like to apply for a grant the 2022 application forms can be obtained shortly from the Clerk or  the FINANCIAL INFORMATION page of this website

Kind regards

Helen Moore

Parish Clerk  clerk@waltonpc.org