a. Constitution

Parish meetings are an important aspect of local governance in England, providing a platform for local government electors to discuss and influence parish affairs. Governed by the Local Government Act 1972 and the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, these meetings are essential for fostering community engagement and ensuring that local issues are addressed democratically.

A parish meeting consists of the local government electors of a parish. Its primary purpose is to discuss parish affairs, which can encompass a wide range of issues specific to the parish. While there is no statutory definition of a “parish affair,” it generally includes any issue, activity, or subject that affects the parish and warrants discussion or action.

Parish meetings (where there is no parish council) must assemble at least twice a year, including an annual assembly between March 1st and June 1st. At the annual assembly, a Chair is elected to preside over meetings until the next annual assembly.

The Chair of the parish meeting and the proper officer of the district council are the body corporate of the parish meeting and are known as the "Parish Trustees" (s.13(3), Local Government Act 1972). The trustees must act in accordance with the directions given by the parish meeting.

Whilst they are not 'local authorities' as defined in the Local Government Act 1972, parish meetings are local government bodies and must comply with relevant legislation such as the Human Right Acts 1998, Equality Act 2010, Freedom of Information Act 2000, and UK GDPR. 

Parish meetings can mount legal claims and participate in community governance reviews.

Parish meetings are not local authorities for the purpose of the VAT legislation. They MUST pay VAT on any purchases which attract it, and cannot claim a refund.

N.B. NALC have issued advice notes on their website - Meetings of parish meetings and The powers of a parish meeting in a parish without a separate parish council .  [To access the NALC website you will need to set up an individual account (SALC members only).  Video guidance on how to do this is available here - https://youtu.be/zapNDmP8jjY?si=jtXhLh0Wm5ANHrO4]