The Parish Council is the lowest tier of local government. See here the many Activities that we do for the community, which are within the limits of our powers fixed by law. These are not the responsibility of B&NES Council or other authorities. The parish boundary is based on the ancient St Mary’s parish church boundary, from which the Parish Council has not been linked since 1894 when it was created. See more in its history.
The Parish Councillors are unpaid volunteers resident in or close to the parish boundary. An open election is held every four years, last in 2019, and is organised by B&NES Council. If there are less than 13 Members in total, which is based on the current electorate of 2,057, then new Councillors may be co-opted. New applicants are welcome at any time as vacancies arise. Each May the Council elects its Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
Every year in January Timsbury Parish Council sets a Precept which provides most of the funding for its many activities, which includes the part-time employment of the Parish Clerk. The Precept is collected by B&NES by adding it to each household’s council tax bill each year. It is about a £1/week, depending on your house’s council tax Band.
Vacancies for Parish Councillors
From time to time a vacancy to become a Parish Councillor may arise. These are publicised widely and most residents can apply, to be elected or to be co-opted.
CURRENTLY One VACANCY – from June 2021
As a result of recent resignations any resident who is eligible can be co-opted by the Parish Council at its next meetings on 8th June or later.
Please first read about what the Parish Council does and the other related pages.
HOW TO APPLY – See this paper.
Anyone intersted may first want to have a conversation with the Clerk – see below, or the Chairman.
Meetings & Papers
Parish Council meetings will return to face to face from 8th June are normally held on the first Monday of each month (except August sometimes) in the Jeff Sluggett Room of the Conygre Hall, Timsbury BA2 0JQ, generally starting at 7:30pm. See papers here.
Members of the public or media may attend the meeting but if they want to address the Council they must have permission in advance from the Clerk – see below.
There are also meetings of committees and working groups.
Also, the open Annual Village Meeting in April or May reviews the Parish Council’s activities and finances for the year to end of March.
Find out more:
- Meetings and papers
- Members & committees
- Finances
- Planning
- Street & Safety
- Activities
- Communications
- Policies & Procedures
- History of the Parish Council
Contact
Communication with the Parish Council is through The Parish Clerk:
Chris Gittins
- tel: 0345 307 3634 (which is free or charged at the same landline charge according to your contract.)
- email: via the form here or timsbury.parish.clerk (@) gmail.com
- post: 11 Rectory Lane, Timsbury, Bath BA2 0LB
The clerk works from home and only three days/week, not at the weekend, so there may be a short delay in response to your contact.
Bath & North East Somerset Council
B&NES Council is the district authority for the area responsible for a wide range of services including local planning, waste & recycling, local roads, licensing, environmental health and family and care services. It also has a role in supporting and supervising aspects of Parish Councils.
- Council Connect for all enquiries tel: 01225 39 40 41
- Report Problems on waste, roads, lighting etc.
- See: Services for more contacts.
Visit: www.bathnes.gov.uk for more details.