Parish Councils

Parish Councils are the most local level of all the various local government bodies. The members of the Council are elected by the voters whose names appear on the electoral roll, just as District and County councillors are chosen.

Each sort of local authority has a range of responsibilities - the things that it must do - and powers - the things that it may do. It is often difficult to see which authority is responsible for which activity. Reference can be made to the web sites for the NORTH DORSET DISTRICT COUNCIL and the DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL for details of their functions and authority.

Parish Councils have few actual duties but they have a wide range of powers. HAZELBURY BRYAN PARISH COUNCIL exercises those powers that they believe are for the benefit of the village. The main ones are:

• Liaising with local authorities and other bodies on behalf of the Parish
• Responding to planning applications
• Responsibility for Alec’s Field, the Playing Fields donated to the Parish Council.
• Responsibility for the Cemetery  and the War Memorial
• Oversight of footpaths and bridleways
• Custodial trusteeship of the Village Hall
• Overseeing the web site

The Council is told about all applications for planning permission and makes comments and recommendations that are considered by the District Council, which is the planning authority.