The Ashton Keynes Parish Council comprises 11 members, who give their time on a voluntary basis and are chosen by the registered electors of the civil parish every four years. The Council’s function is to maintain and improve village facilities as well as to represent its Parishioners on wider local government issues.  It is in this latter respect, consulted by the two other local government authorities for the area, the North Wilts District Council and the Wiltshire County Council, which the Council deals with matters that affect the village directly or indirectly, such as planning. The Parish Council has relatively few powers, but it is able to raise revenue for investment in the village by means of the parish precept, which forms part of the Council Tax levied on each household.  The current breakdown of the precept can be viewed by clicking here.

Decisions are taken at monthly meetings, which are open to the public, are determined by a majority vote of those Councillors present.  The Council is advised by a number of sub-committees and working parties established to tackle specific issues in detail e.g. traffic, planning etc.  A Council Clerk is employed to advise on legal and regulatory matters as well as dealing with finance, correspondence and other documents, such as Agendas and Minutes.

The Council appoints one member of the Village School Governing body and two members of the village charity trustees.  The Council is ultimately responsible for the Village Hall and all the village playing fields, but the running of these facilities is delegated to local management committees.  The Council also arranges for the regular mowing of the playing fields and grass verges.

The Council meets on the first Wednesday evening of each month in the Village Hall, except August, and occasionally at other times if the situation demands it.  Any member of the public can attend the meeting and ask questions.  The Council reports formally to its electors once a year at the Annual Parish Meeting.

For a full range of Parish Councillors' responsibilities click here