The Question of a Parish Council for Chafford

Dear Residents,

Some residents have suggested a parish council might be the way forward in Chafford.

This is in light of the recent issues pertaining to:
- lack of cleanliness of the community
- general upkeep of the community
- manage minor holes in the roads; 

A parish council is an elected body made up of local people representing the interests of their community. A new parish council would be in addition to - and not instead of - Thurrock Council.

Some of the powers of the parish council will be to:

make bylaws which could cover pleasure grounds, cycle parks, open spaces

enclosing, regulating and managing public land

provide and equipe buildings for use by athletic, social or educational clubs

spending money on crime-prevention measures

providing entertainment and support for the arts

repairing and maintaining public footpaths and bridleways

providing lights for roads and public places

providing litter bins, parking places, traffic signs and other notices

planting trees and maintaining roadside verges

dealing with blocked ditches, ponds, pools and gutters

helping pay for traffic-calming schemes

In order to successfully complete all of the necessary stages of creating a new parish council in Chafford – the factors below should be borne in mind:

• Residents must understand the benefits for Chafford; &
• Residents need to be satisfied that a new parish council is the right model of community governance for Chafford.
• Residents need to be aware that there will be a small payment required in addition to their Council Tax which will be used exclusively for the upkeep of Chafford.
• For example, if residents paid an additional £10 per month (or £120 per year).  It will generate around £426,000 based on the estimated houses (below).

North Chafford Households:  1,200 (approximate)
South Chafford Households:  2,350 (approximate)
Total:                                   :  3,550

So the main factors to consider before creating a new parish council in Chafford are:

1. Do residents think a parish council is needed
2. Do residents understand its benefits
3. Do residents understand the additional payment they will have to make
4. Will majority of residents support the proposed parish Council?
5. Will the Council approve the Parish Council
6. The outcome of previous attempts (if any) to create a new local council in your area (Brandon Grove - rejected by residents in October 2015; Corringham - rejected by Council in August 2015)

Visit the Councils' website for the full information for setting up a parish council: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/set-up-town-or-parish-council/parish-councils