d. Powers

 Parish meetings play a crucial role in the governance of local communities, especially in parishes that do not have a separate parish council. These meetings provide a platform for local government electors to discuss parish affairs and exercise statutory functions. They have a limited number of statutory functions, powers and rights of notification and consultation which include:

• Allotments: parish meetings can hold and administer allotments for cultivation. (S.33(3), Small Holdings and Allotment Act 1908)

• Burials and Cemeteries: parish meetings act as burial authorities, providing and maintaining burial grounds and may contribute to the costs of burial facilities. (schedule 26, Para.1(c), Local Government Act 1972)

• Charities: parish meeting can appoint trustees to parochial charities. (s.299, Charities Act 2011)

• Land and Property: parish meetings may be registered as the owner of land (e.g. common land) if ownership was inherited from the appropriate pre-1894 authority. (s.67, Local Government Act 1894). They may acquire land for allotments or burial purposes with the Secretary of State’s approval. (s.126, Local government Act 1972)

• Lighting: Parish meetings have the power to light roads and public places within the parish.

  (s.3, Parish Council Act 1957)

• Rights of Way: Parish meetings are notified of proposals affecting highways and public paths and can apply to modify the definitive map of public rights of way. (see s.47(4), Highways Act 1980 and s.53(5), and schedule 14 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981)

• Village Greens: Parish meetings can prosecute individuals who damage or encroach upon village greens with the effect of interfering with the green as a place for recreation.

• War Memorials: Parish meetings can maintain, repair, or protect war memorials. (ss. 1 & 4, War Memorials (Local Authorities Powers) Act 1923
  

Parish meetings can precept the billing authority (i.e. District council) for necessary expenditures and are responsible for their accounts which are subject to audit.

Under s.109, Local Government Act 1972, a parish meeting may apply to the district council for additional typical functions of a parish council. The district council may, by Order, subject (where the parish is grouped with another parish) to the provisions of the grouping Order confer such additional functions.

N.B. NALC have issued an advice note on their website - 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]