What is a Parish Council?
A Parish Council is the tier of local government closest to the residents who elect them. As with all Parish Councils, Walton Parish Council exists to serve the needs of everyone in the village. It consists of eleven unpaid members who are elected every four years to represent all the electors of Walton. There is currently one vacancy as a result of a recent resignation. The Parish Council makes decisions for the benefit of the community, working in conjunction with Wakefield District Council to get the best deal for local people. It does so by having meetings each month (except in August) at which matters are discussed and decisions made on a wide range of issues affecting the village. Members of the Public are entitled to attend these meetings to observe the proceedings (although they are not allowed to speak during the meetings).
The Parish Council has the power to raise money and to spend it on behalf of the community. The money is raised by means of a ‘precept’ which is levied on every ratepayer and can be seen on the Wakefield District Council rates bill that ratepayers receive each year.
The Parish Council employs a Clerk who implements the decisions of the council, and provides independent, objective and professional advice, information and administrative support to the council.
Some statistics
Number of registered electors: Approximately 2700 (On 1st December 2008 it was 2698).
Precept for the year 2009:10 £30,000
Amount to be paid by a ratepayer for the Parish precept:
Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H
£17.35 |
£20.24 |
£23.13 |
£26.02 |
£31.80 |
£37.58 |
£43.37 |
£52.04 |