Powers & Duties of Parish Councils

FunctionPowers & DutiesStatutory Provisions
Access landCountryside and Rights of Way Act 2000,3.17Power to enforce byelaws made by another authority
AllotmentsSmall Holdings & Allotments Act 1908, ss. 23, 26 and 42Duty to provide allotments. Power to improve and adapt land for allotments and to let grazing rights
Baths and wash housesPublic Health Act 1936, ss. 221 - 223 and 225 - 227Powers relating to provision of public baths, washhouses and bathing huts
Burial grounds, cemeteries and crematoriaOpen Spaces Act 1906, Ss 9 and 10; Local Government Act 1972, s. 214; Parish Councils and Burial Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1970, s. 1 Local Government Act 1972, s 214(6)Power to acquire and maintain Power to provide Power to agree to maintain monuments and memorials Power to contribute towards expenses of cemeteries

FunctionPowers & DutiesStatutory Provisions
Access landPower to enforce byelaws made by another authorityCountryside and Rights of Way Act 2000,3.17
AllotmentsDuty to provide allotments. Power to improve and adapt land for allotments and to let grazing rights.Small Holdings & Allotments Act 1908, ss. 23, 26 and 42
Baths and wash housesPowers relating to provision of public baths, washhouses and bathing hutsPublic Health Act 1936, ss. 221 - 223 and 225 - 227
Burial grounds, cemeteries and crematoriaPower to acquire and maintain Power to provide Power to agree to maintain monuments and memorials Power to contribute towards expenses of cemeteriesOpen Spaces Act 1906, Ss 9 and 10; Local Government Act 1972, s. 214; Parish Councils and Burial Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1970, s. 1 Local Government Act 1972, s 214(6)
Bus sheltersPower to provide and maintain sheltersLocal Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953, s. 4
Bye-lawsPowers to make bye-laws in regard to pleasure grounds Cycle parks Baths and washhouses Open spaces and burial grounds Mortuaries and post-mortem rooms Public conveniencesPublic Health Act 1875, s. 164 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s. 57(7) Public Health Act 1936, s.223 Open Spaces Act 1906, ss.15 and 12 Public Health Act 1936, s 198 Public Health Act 1936, s. 87
ClocksPower to provide public clocksParish Councils Act 1 957, s.2
Closed churchyardsPowers as to maintenanceLocal Government Act 1 972, s.21 5
CommonsPowers for parish council to contribute expense relating to scheme for the regulation and management of a commonCommons Act 1899, s.5
Common pasturesPowers in relation to providing common pastureSmallholdings and Allotments Act 1908,8.34
Conference facilitiesPower to provide and encourage the use of facilitiesLocal Government Act 1972, s.144
Community CentrePowers to provide and equip buildings for use of clubs having athletic, social or recreational objectivesLocal Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, s.19
Crime PreventionPowers to install and maintain equipment and establish and maintain a scheme for detection or prevention of crimeLocal Government and Rating Act 1997,8.31
DrainagePower to deal with ponds and ditchesPublic Health Act 1936, s.260
Entertainment and the artsProvision of entertainment and support of the artsLocal Government Act 1972, s.145
Financial assistanceDuty to require informationLocal Government Act 1972, S.137A
General powersPower to incur expenditure for certain purposeLocal Government Act 1972, s.137
GiftsPower to acceptLocal Government Act 1972, s.139
HighwaysPower to maintain footpaths and bridleways Power to light roads and public places Provision of litter bins Powers to provide parking places for bicycles and motor-cycles, and other vehicles Power to enter into an agreement as to dedication and widening Power to provide roadside seats and shelters Consent of parish council required for ending maintenance of highway at public expense, or for stopping up or division of highway Power to complain to highway authority as to unlawful stopping up or obstruction of highway or unlawful encroachment on roadside wastes Power to provide traffic signs and other objects or devices warning of danger Power to plant trees and lay out grass verges etc. and to maintain themHighways Act 1980, ss.43,50 Parish Councils Act 1957, s.3; Highways Act 1980, s.301 Litter Act 1983,ss.5,6 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, ss.57,63 Highways Act 1980, ss.30,72 Parish Councils Act 1957, s.1
Highways Act 1980, ss.47,1 16 Highways Act 1980, s.130 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1 984, s.72 Highways Act 1980, s.96
InvestmentsPower to participate in schemes of collective investmentTrustee Investment Act 1961 , s.1 1
LandPower to acquire by agreement, to appropriate, to dispose of Power to accept gifts of landLocal Government Act 1972, ss.124, 126, 127 Local Government Act 1972, s.139
LitterProvision of receptaclesLitter Act 1 983, ss.5,6
LotteriesPowers to promoteLotteries and Amusements Act 1976, s.7
Mortuaries and post mortem roomsPowers to provide mortuaries and post mortem roomsPublic Health Act 1936, s.198
Open spacesPower to acquire land and maintainPublic Health Act 1875, s.164 Open Spaces Act 1 906, ss.9 and 1 0
Parish documentsPowers to direct as to their custodyLocal Government Act 1 972, s.226
Public buildings and village hallPowers to provide public buildings for public meetings and assembliesLocal Government Act 1972, s.133
Public conveniencesPowers relating to provision of public conveniencesPublic Health Act 1936, s.87
RecreationPower to acquire land for or to provide public walks, pleasure grounds and open spaces and to manage and control them Power to provide gymnasiums, playing fields, holiday camps Provision of boating pools(see Local Government Act 1 972, Sched. 14para.27) Public Health Act 1875, s.164 Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1890S.44 Open spaces Act 1906, ss.9 and 10 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, s.19 Public Health Act 1961, s.54
Town and country planningRight to be notified of planning applicationsTown and Country Planning Act 1 990, Sched. 1, para.8
TourismPower to encourage visitors and provide conference and other facilitiesLocal Government Act 1972, s. 144
Traffic calmingPowers to contribute financially to traffic calming schemesHighways Act 1980, S.274A
TransportPowers in relation to car-sharing schemes, taxi fare concessions and information about transport Powers to make grants for bus servicesLocal Government and Rating Act 1997, s.26, 28 and 29 Transport Act 1985, S.106A
War memorialsPower to maintain, repair, protect and alter memorialsWar Memorials (Local Authorities' Powers) Act 1923, s.1; as extended by Local Government Act 1948, s.1 33
Water supplyPower to utilise well, spring or stream and to provide facilities for obtaining water from themPublic Health Act 1936, s.1 25