The Council’s most significant role though is now planning since the Neighbourhood Plan was approved in a referendum last year. The Neighbourhood Plan is a legal document that will protect the area against unwanted building and developments, defend the Green Belt and improve the environment. However to do all this work requires councillors to be involved and contribute towards successful policies and their implementation.

The Parish Council now has 7 vacancies out of the possible 13 councillors and we would like to fill these positions with local residents who are proud of the community where they live, would like to contribute to improving life for everybody in the local area and have a keen interest in the various functions of the Council particularly planning, the environment, highways, finance and organising events in the Parish. Next year, the whole council will be up for re-election so now would be an ideal opportunity for anybody joining us to find out what it is like being a councillor for just under a year. Anybody aged 18 or above is eligible to be co-opted.

Unlike the District and Council councils, the Parish Council is non-party political with councillors of various shades of opinion successfully working together. Also councillors do not get paid (apart from out of pocket expenses); all work is voluntary though importantly, the commitment is only for a few hours each month.

Anybody interested in being co-opted to the Council can find out more information or even submit an application to the clerk, Carol Blake by emailing parishclerk@catshillandnorthmarkbrook-pc.gov.uk