A parish council is a civil local authority found in England and is the lowest, or first, tier of local government.[1] They are elected corporate bodies, have variable tax raising powers, and are responsible for areas known as civil parishes, serving in total 16 million people. A parish council serving a town may be called a town council, and a parish council serving a city is styled a city council; these bodies have the same powers, duties and status as a parish council.
Parish and town councils vary enormously in size, activities and circumstances, representing populations ranging from less than 100 (small rural hamlets) to up to 70,000 (Weston-Super-Mare Town Council). Most of them are small: around 80% represent populations of less than 2,500.[2]
Civil parish councils should not be confused with Parochial church councils which administer parishes of the Church of England.
Civil parish councils, which can be called Community councils should not be confused with Rural community councils which engage in rural development work.
Parish Council Information &
County Councillors
Parish Chair : Councillor Derek Coates
Tel 07972225950
Parish Vice Chair : Councillor Janet Box
Tel 07923550046
Parish Clerk : Peter Hughes
4 Annaside Mews
Leadgate
Consett
Co Durham
DH8 6HL
Tel 07810543043
Member Duties 2018/19
Councillor D Coates: Chair of Council
Friends of Burnhope War Memorial Rep
Councillor J Box: Vice Chair of Council
Burnhope Community Centre Rep
Smaller Councils Committee Rep
Mid Durham Area Action Partnership Rep
Friends of Burnhope War Memorial Rep
Councillor B Henderson: Burnhope Partnership Rep
HAGGRID Rep
Councillor F Dawson: Smaller Councils Committee Rep
Mid Durham Area Action Partnership Rep
Friends of Burnhope War Memorial Rep
Councillor H Barron: Friends of Burnhope War Memorial
Councillor K Barron: HAGGRID Rep
Councillor A Gibson: Observer Mid Durham Area Action Partnership
Councillor P Luther: Smaller Councils Committee