The Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting

Each year a public meeting is held where parishioners are able to add items onto the agenda and participate throughout the entire meeting. If the Chair of the Parish Council is present they usually Chair the meeting.

The date, time and place for the next Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting is:

  • To be confirmed

Please attend your community meeting and send your items for inclusion on the agenda using the subject line ‘ANNUAL ASSEMBLY AGENDA ITEM’ to clerk@wopc.org.uk

Draft Minutes from the Annual Assembly of the Parish meeting on 20th May 2023

Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting Agenda Saturday 20th May 2023

A MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting Local Organisations and residents are invited to contribute to the meeting: Items on the agenda include: Air Pollution Speeding Concerns Visibility and access issues on Vicarage Lane Allotment Fees & Service Please email clerk@wopc.org.uk with any items you would like to add Sat 20th May 6:00 pm Water Orton Primary School Organisations attending include: HS2 County, Borough and Parish Council Representatives Water Orton Community Action Group plus many more invited.... FREE Refreshments

Frequently asked questions:

What is the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting?

There can be, and often is, confusion between the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting and the Annual Parish Council Meeting. All Parishes  throughout England are required by law to hold an Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting, which must take place between 1 March and the 1 June (inclusive). Meetings should not commence before 6pm.  In legal terms, the Parish Meeting is distinctly separate from the Parish Council the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting is a legacy from the Middle Ages, when local Parish Councils did not exist, and all local decision making was carried out by meetings of the whole community, taking place in any available large building.

What is the purpose of the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting?

The purpose of the meeting is to give electors an opportunity to have a say on anything they consider valuable to the people of the Parish. In addition to this the Parish Council, and other local organisations often use this meeting as an opportunity to let local residents know what they have been doing over the past year and any plans they have for the forthcoming year.

What else happens at the meeting?

The meeting can also be an opportunity for local groups, clubs, societies and other voluntary and statutory organisations to provide an exhibition and/or have representatives from the group address those present at the meeting about the work they do and what they are involved in. Electors may also wish to hold a Parish Poll on a matter of community interest.

Who can attend the meeting?

The Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting is for all electors of the Parish. It is not a meeting of the Parish Council. Anyone is welcome to attend the meeting however, only registered electors of the parish may speak and vote during the meeting.

Will I be able to ask questions and make suggestions?

Any registered elector may ask a question at the Annual Assembly, they may also make suggestions and comments on anything pertinent to the residents of the Parish. This will be welcomed and is the whole purpose of the meeting.

Who will chair the meeting?

If present the Chair (or in their absence the Vice-Chair) of the Parish Council will chair the meeting otherwise, the electors present will elect a chair for the evening amongst themselves.  The Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting is usually convened by the Chair of the Council however, the meeting can also be convened by any two Parish Councillors, or any six local electors of the Parish.

Will Parish Councillors be at the meeting?

Parish Councillors will be invited to attend and they will also have an opportunity to raise questions and make comments if they wish. However, as this is an assembly of the electors of the Parish, Parish Councillors are present as residents and are of equal standing to all other electors within the meeting.

Will minutes of the meeting be taken?

Minutes of the proceedings of the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting shall be taken (usually by the Parish Council Clerk) In the event the Parish Council Clerk can not be present, the Parish Meeting should delegate this task to someone in attendance. The minutes shall be reviewed and signed at the next Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting.

How long will the meeting last?

The length of the meeting is dependent on the number of electors present, the number of questions asked and the discussion that is raised. Generally, the meeting will not last longer than two hours.

Where can I get copies of papers for the meeting?

The agenda calling the meeting is published 7 clear days before the meeting however electors are able to add items to the agenda up to and even during the meeting. The initial agenda and reports for the meeting will be available on the Parish Council website and noticeboards.

What happens when a decision is made at the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting?

Decisions made by the Parish Meeting during the Annual Assembly are not binding upon the Parish Council. However a wise Parish Council will normally want to take heed of what is said in the meeting