The Role of Parish Councils
There are three tiers of Local Government in Wheelton - County Council, District (or Borough) Council, and Parish Council. Each tier has distinct responsibilities and works together to serve the needs of residents.
Parish Councils represent the first tier of local government - the level closest to the community.
Local Authorities - Who Does What? Parish Councils - Tier 1They provide valuable local insight and are increasingly taking on more community-focused responsibilities. These can include:
- Supporting local events and community groups
- Managing assets such as community centres, play areas, and noticeboards
- Reporting local issues like potholes, littering, and dog fouling
- Advocating for the needs and interests of residents to higher-tier authorities
They play an essential role in making their communities better places to live, work, and visit.
District Councils - Tier 2Wheelton Parish Council comes under Chorley Council who has responsibility for:
- Collection of council tax and business rates
- Refuse, recycling, and litter collection
- Housing services and homelessness support
- Planning applications and local development
- Environmental health, including noise and animal nuisances
- Maintenance of parks, play areas, and open spaces
- Management of allotments
For information on District Council services:
Website: www.chorley.gov.uk
Phone: 01257 515151
Email: contact@chorley.gov.uk
Wheelton Parish Council comes under Lancashire County Council who has responsibility for:
- Children, education, and families
- Health and social care
- Transport and travel
- Roads, potholes, repairs, and gritting
- Recycling centres
- Fire and public safety
- Flooding
- Libraries and archives
- Trading standards
- Births, marriages, and deaths
For more information on County Council services:
Website: www.lancashire.gov.uk
Phone: 0300 123 6701
Email: enquiries@lancashire.gov.uk
The Role of Wheelton Parish Council
There has been a Parish Council in Wheelton for more than 100 years with the first Council meeting in 1894. The last parish council was formed in May 2006. Wheelton Parish covers the settlements of Higher Wheelton, Wheelton village (sometimes known locally as Lower Wheelton), Briars and Buckholes Brow and Logwood. The parish also extends south-east to Wheelton Plantation and Wheelton Moor.
Councillors are elected for a maximum term of 4 years. They must be over 18, be an elector or reside/work in the parish. They are required to sign a formal declaration of office and agree to abide by a Code of Conduct.
Councillors have a responsibility to listen and take an active part in meetings by suggesting ideas and engaging in constructive debate. They make collective decisions in the interests of the community. Councillors should abide by the majority decision and may not make a decision or act individually on behalf of the Council.
Clerk
The Clerk is an independent, professional officer employed by the Council. They are answerable to the Council as a whole and cannot act on the instructions of individual Councillors. The Council may delegate powers and functions to the Clerk and these are specified in Standing Orders.
The Clerk manages Parish Council business, implements Council decisions, undertakes research, produces reports and provides independent, objective and professional advice. They are responsible for administration and communication with the public and helps increase the awareness of the Council by producing Newsletters and managing Websites.
In Wheelton, the Clerk is also the responsible financial officer providing financial management information by completing budgets and precepts for approval, processing accounts and payments and dealing with audit arrangements.