Four months ago, I gently reminded everyone in this parish that in well under two years, the present Parish Council comes to an end.
The time left is now just over fifteen months. Those who serve are not beamed down from above, nor transplanted here from a special parish councillor farm. Each and every one of them lives here. If this is to continue, then further residents will need to serve. Otherwise there will be no parish council – certainly not one as effective as we have now, as each of the nine seats need to be occupied to get anything done.
To revisit what was said four months ago:-
“What has that got to do with me?”, I hear you say. Everything is the answer. We have a contingent of nine councillors, only a full house can get the work done and there will be vacancies as present serving councillors stand aside, having done more than their bit for this parish. That leaves you to fill the gaps, and now is the time to consider at length whether you want to. If you don’t, who else will?
Not “your thing”? – a bit of a feeble excuse isn’t it.As the saying goes, suck it and see.
Pros and Cons? – Cons first:-
• No pay (expenses if you travel which is unusual).
• You need to keep up with circulated paperwork.
• Give up one evening a month, plus any further time for committees you may choose to serve on.
• Making difficult decisions at times – these decisions won’t always suit everyone but remember – everyone’s friend is actually no one’s friend.
Now the Pros:-
• No upper age limit (you must be 18).Anyone of age can serve.
• No need to have been here for ages (that is a total myth – fresh eyes are often useful). You only need to be registered to vote here.
• Change is inevitable in any situation – you get to influence it.
• Free training/courses to do the job. It’s amazing what you learn.
• Proper knowledge of who does what at all government levels, and how parish councils slot in.
• A much wider view of this community both physically and financially, and how it fits together.
• Job satisfaction – knowing that on balance as jobs get done, you are genuinely helping this community (don’t expect frequent thanks though!).
• For the more ambitious, service of this kind can’t hurt on a C.V.
Have you thought more about it since last September ? – thank goodness! For more information you can chat to any one of the present parish councillors or the parish clerk, Patrick Blosse. Details on the Parish Council tab on this site.