HC Deb 23 July 2004 vol 424 cc748-51W
Bob Spink

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out the powers and responsibilities of parish councils. [180513]

Mr. Raynsford

Pursuant to my answer of 29 June 2004,Official Report, column 228W, in the following table are revised lists of parish council's main statutory functions.

Powers and duties of parish councils
Function Powers and duties Statutory provisions
Bye-laws Power to make bye-laws in regard to pleasure

grounds

Cycle parks

Baths and washhouses

Open spaces and burial grounds

Mortuaries and post-mortem rooms

Public Conveniences

Public Health Act 1875, s. 164

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s. 57(7)

Public Health Act 1936, s. 223

Open Spaces Act 1906, ss. 15 and 12

Public Health Act 1936, s. 198

Public Health Act 1936, s. 87

Clocks Power to provide public clocks Parish Councils Act 1957, s. 2
Closed churchyards Powers as to maintenance Local Government Act 1972, s. 215
Commons Power for parish council to contribute to expense

relating to scheme for the regulation and

management of a common

Commons Act 1899, s. 5
Common pastures Powers in relation to providing common pasture Smallholdings and Allotments Act 1908, s. 34
Conference facilities Power to provide and encourage the use of

facilities

Local Government Act 1972, s. 144
Community centres Power to provide and equip buildings for use of

clubs having athletic, social or recreational

objectives

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act

1976 s. 19

Crime prevention Powers to install and maintain equipment and

establish and maintain a scheme for detection or

prevention of crime

Local Government and Rating Act 1997, s. 31
Drainage Power to deal with ponds and ditches Public Health Act 1936, s. 260
Entertainment and the Arts Provision of entertainment and support of the arts Local Government Act 1972, s. 145
Financial assistance Duty to require information Local Government Act 1872, s. 137A
General powers Power to incur expenditure for certain purposes Local Government Act 1972, s. 137
Gifts Power to accept Local Government Act 1972, s. 139
Highways Power to maintain footpaths and bridle-ways

Power to light roads and public places

Provision of litter bins

Powers to provide parking places for bicycles and

motor-cycles, and other vehicles

Power to enter into agreement as to dedication and

widening

Power to provide roadside seats and shelters

Consent of parish council required for ending

maintenance of highway at public expense, or for

stopping up or diversion of highway

Highways Act 1980, ss. 43, 50

Parish Councils Act 1957, s. 3;

Highways Act 1980, s. 301

Litter Act 1983, ss. 5,6

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, ss. 57, 63

Highways Act 1980, ss. 30, 72

Parish Councils Act 1957, s. 1

Highways Act 1980, ss. 47, 116

Highways Act 1980, s. 130

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s. 72

Highways Act 1980, s. 96

Power to complain to highway authority as to

unlawful stopping up or obstruction of highway

or unlawful encroachment on roadside wastes

Power to provide traffic signs and other objects or

devices warning of danger

Power to plant trees and lay out grass verges etc.

and to maintain them

Investments Power to participate in schemes of collective

investment

Trustee Investments Act 1961, s. 11
Land Power to acquire by agreement, to appropriate, to

dispose of

Power to accept gifts of land

Local Government Act 1972, ss. 124, 126, 127

Local Government Act 1972, s. 139

Litter Provision of receptacles Litter Act 1983, ss. 5,6
Lotteries Powers to promote Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976, s. 7
Mortuaries and post

mortem rooms

Powers to provide mortuaries and post mortem

rooms

Public Health Act 1936, s. 198
Open spaces Power to acquire land and maintain Public Health Act 1875, s. 164
Open Spaces Act 1906, ss. 9 and 10
Parish documents Powers to direct as to their custody Local Government Act 1972, s. 226
Public buildings and village

hall

Power to provide buildings for public meetings and

assemblies

Local Government Act 1972, s. 133
Public conveniences Powers relating to provision of public conveniences Public Health Act 1936, s. 87
Recreation Power to acquire land for or to provide public

walks, pleasure grounds and open spaces and to

manage and control them.

Power to provide gymnasiums, playing fields,

holiday camps

Provision of boating pools

(see Local Government Act 1972,

Sched. 14 para. 27)

Public Health Act 1875. s. 164

Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1890 s. 44

Open Spaces Act 1906, ss. 9 and 10

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act

1976, s. 19

Public Health Act 1961, s. 54

Town and country planning Right to be notified of planning applications Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Sched. 1.

para. 8

Tourism Power to encourage visitors and provide

conference and other facilities

Local Government Act 1972, s. 144
Traffic calming Powers to contribute financially to traffic calming

schemes

Highways Act 1980, s.274A

Powers and duties of parish councils
Function Powers and duties Statutory provisions
Transport Powers in relation to car-sharing schemes, taxi fare

concessions and information about transport

Powers to make grants for bus services

Local Government and Rating Act 1997, s. 26, 28

and 29

Transport Act 1985, s. 106A

War memorials Power to maintain, repair, protect and alter war

memorials

War Memorials (Local Authorities' Powers) Act

1923, s.1; as extended by Local Government Act

1948, s. 133

Water Supply Power to utilise well, spring or stream and to

provide facilities for obtaining water from them

Public Health Act 1936, s. 125