The Role of Stokenchurch Parish Council

Stokenchurch Parish Council – What We Do

Stokenchurch Parish Council represents the villages of Stokenchurch, Studley Green, Water End, Horsley’s Green, and Beacons Bottom. The council has 10 volunteer members elected by local residents. Anyone over 18 with an interest in the community can stand for election.

We are the most local level of government, independent but working closely with Buckinghamshire Council. Our role is to improve and maintain the local community through a wide range of responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:

• Community spaces: Parks, commons, hedges, playgrounds, and car parks.
• Cemetery management: Overseeing burial plots for local residents.
• Allotments: Providing land for residents to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers.
• Street lighting and maintenance of some leased land, including Swilley Pond, community centres, and halls.
• Planning input: We review local planning applications and advise Buckinghamshire Council.
• Events: Ensuring insurance and safe use of Council land for community events.

How we fund our work:

• Local parish precept (part of Council Tax).
• Income from hall hires, leases, and wayleaves.

Staff: We employ a Clerk, an Admin Officer, and a Responsible Finance Officer to manage day-to-day operations and finances.

Councillors are volunteers: They receive no payment, attend training, and serve four-year terms to help shape and support the community.

In short, we represent residents, maintain community spaces, manage services, and support local projects, helping make our villages better places to live.