The Horringer-cum-Ickworth Parish Council consists of 7 elected volunteer councillors all with equal powers.  The Parish Council must act as one body - with decisions made by a majority of councillors, present and voting at meetings. The Parish Council (a corporate body) employ a part-time administrator who  is responsible to the Parish Council and not to the public.

What is the role of a Parish Councillor?

To appreciate what is involved in being a Parish Councillor you need to know what a Parish Council is, and what it can and cannot do.  The Parish Council is nothing to do with the Church or the Diocese; nor is it a voluntary and community sector body.

To find out more about the works of a Council please use this link: All  about local councils “Your Parish Council is the local authority closest to the Electorate.”

Each councillor has their own reasons for running but the role offers the chance to make a huge difference to the quality of life for people in your local area.

Being an effective councillor requires both commitment and hard work. Councillors have to balance the needs and interests of residents and the council. To read about Councillors from all works of life please use this link: It Takes All Sorts

To find out more about being a Councillor please look at the following document: Be A Councillor. https://www.local.gov.uk/be-councillor

A Parish Council is a separate legal, corporate entity. First created by the Local Government Act of 1894 in most rural areas, the current consolidated legislation is that of 1972.

A Parish Council also provides services for the local people. These will range from recreation grounds and play areas, a cemetery and may be crematorium to allotments, bath-houses and nature reserves. What you provide is down to your Council. There is a list of the activities that a Parish Council has the power to provide. Like any statutory body it can only do the things for which the law or any governing document gives a power.

The Parish Council has one particular asset that is extremely valuable — it has the ability to set a Precept (sum of money), which is collected from all residents through the Council Tax system. With the right to levy a form of taxation come some duties. In particular a duty to behave in an ethical manner according to a Code of Conduct (declaring interests and leaving the room when likely to be prejudiced) and a duty to have the annual accounts subjected to audit.

“Training is available and support will be found from colleagues, the Clerk to the Council, as well as from the Suffolk Association of Local Councils, a body affiliated to the National Association of Local Councils”

All Councillors retire after a four year term, but casual vacancies may well arise in the intervening period. It is a useful way of seeing if you like being a local Councillor to take a seat for a short period before the next full elections

So if you want to do more for your community, if you want to spend your time productively, and if you can think, listen and act locally — Become a Parish Councillor.

For a copy of the Council's Co-Option Policy which will be used to co-opt a councillor mid-term, please use this link. Co-option policy & form

To register your interest in being considered a Councillor please contact admin@horringer-pc.gov.uk

Roles & Responsibilities of the Parish Council

Roles undertaken by Councillors 2024 - 2025

Chair of the Parish Council                       Councillor Colin Knight

Vice- Chair of the Parish Council              Councillor Peter Crofts

The play equipment installed and managed by the parish council.  Councillor Walker is the point of contact for all matters regarding the play area.

All Councillors are invited to attend monthly meetings except in August.

Councillors Knight, Crofts & Walker are the Parish Council's authorised signatories.

Janice Frost is the Parish Council appointed Tree Warden.

Parish Council appointed Footpath Warden post is currently vacant.

Councillors Crofts & Frost are representing the Parish Council on the Neighbourhood Plan committee.