Your Town Council
In England parish councils were formed under the Local Government Act 1894 to take on local oversight of social welfare and civic duties in towns and villages. Before this date a variety of groups based around ecclesiastical (church) parishes had responsibility for these matters, in a system of local government that dated back to the feudal system of the 8th century. Since a change in the law in 1974 many small market towns have town councils, whose powers are exactly the same as those of parish councils, although their Chairmen are entitled to style themselves as "Mayor." A parish council can become a town council unilaterally, simply by making a resolution to do so. Around 400 parish councils are called town councils. They are elected bodies, usually on a four year cycle. The number of councillors varies according to the population of the parish.
There are 15 Epworth Town Council members, who are elected representatives. Councillors are not paid and receive no income, so all work done on the behalf of residents is completely voluntary. The Council normally meets on the first Tuesday of each month and there are 12 planned meetings per year. Town and parish councils have the power to precept (tax) their residents to support their operations and to carry out local projects. Although there is no limit to the amount that can be precepted, the money can only be raised for a limited number of purposes, defined in the 1894 Act.
Although there are wide variations, councils tend to be responsible for the provision of such facilities as village halls, allotments, recreation grounds and children's play areas. They have a legal right to be consulted and to comment on all planning applications in their areas. A council must not do anything unless it has a legal power to act, granted by Parliament. It has the duty to ensure that all the rules for the administration of the council are followed.
A Town/Parish Council:-
Represents and engages with all parts of its community, providing vision, identity and a sense of belonging.
Upholds high standards of conduct.
Works in partnership with principal local authorities and other public service agencies.
In proportion to its size and skills, delivers local services on behalf of principal local authorities when this represents the best deal for the local community.
Works closely with voluntary groups in its community.
Provides leadership to the community through its work on parish plans.
Works with its partners as an information point for local services.
Epworth Town Councillors also attend other meetings with organisation such as the Isle of Axholme Drainage Board, Local Neighbourhood Watch meetings and North Lincolnshire Council.
Records for Epworth Parish (and later Town Council) go back to 1927. Since then there have been a number of venues for council meetings. Initially a schoolroom in the Council School (now the Old School Inn) was used. Later on the Temperance Hall provided temporary accommodation, and even councillors' homes were used until a move to the Gables in 1941 provided a much more permanent setting. It is interesting to note the remit of some of the council's activities in these early days. In 1927 street lighting was provided by the Epworth Gas Company at a cost to the council of £27-17s-8d with lighting times being 6pm in January, 7pm in February, 7.30pm in March and 10pm at other times. By 1936 this cost had risen to £2-13s-6d per lamp, with a decision at this point being made to 'switch' to electric lighting. This to be provided by the North Lincolnshire and Howdenshire Electric Company. By 1939, 63 lamps covered the whole of Epworth but they could not be used to their full as Air Raid Precautions came into being at the same time. In 1928 the council raised the possibility of siting a public lavatory in Epworth. At this time, also, the council had its own Fire Brigade, the longest serving captain of the brigade being Mr A Snowden who retired at the age of 77 after 55 years of service, the last 45 being as captain
In March 1939 the council had to deal with parking issues, primarily in Hollingsworth Lane when the court was in session, but later on down the High Street. The problem of heavy traffic through the town prompted the council to propose a 'bypass' for central Epworth by surfacing Church Lane that runs from the present Garden Centre, north of the St Andrew's Church to Beltoft Rd. It wasnot implemented.
The following list outlines some of the duties, functions and powers a parish/town council may have:-
Allotments
Duty to provide allotments.
Power to improve and adapt land for allotments, and to let grazing rights
Small Holding & Allotments Act 1908, ss. 23, 26, and 42
Baths and washhouses
Power to provide public baths and washhouses
Public Health Act 1936, ss. 221, 222, 223 and 227
Burial grounds, cemeteries and crematoria
Power to acquire and maintain
Power to provide
Power to agree to maintain monuments and memorials
Power to contribute towards expenses of cemeteries
Open Spaces Act 1906, Ss 9 and 10; Local Government Act 1972, s. 214; Parish Councils and Burial Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1970, s. 1
Local Government Act 1972, s. 214(6)
Bus shelters
Power to provide and maintain shelters
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 1953, s. 4
Bye-laws
Power to make bye-laws in regard to pleasure grounds, Cycle parks, Baths and washhouses, Open spaces and burial grounds
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.57(7)
Public Health Act 1936, s.223
Open Spaces Act 1906, s.15
Public Health Act 1936, s.198
Clocks
Power to provide public clocks
Parish Councils Act 1957, s.2
Closed churchyards
Powers as to maintenance
Local Government Act 1972, s.215
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
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
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
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
Power to provide
Public Health Act 1936, s.87
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
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
