Skipwith Parish Council is the first tier of local government.

There are up to seven unpaid Councillors and a part-time clerk. Councillors are elected for a four year term. If there are vacancies, new Councillors may be co-opted onto the Council at other times.

What does the Parish Council do?

The Council has some direct responsibilities – for example:

• cutting the grass on the village green, Scarrow Green, recreation area and some grass verges
• maintaining the village pond and Scarrow Green pond
• operating the street-lights in the village.

In other areas the Parish Council makes representations on behalf of residents of the Parish, such as commenting upon planning applications. However, the final responsibility lies with other bodies such as North Yorkshire Council.

How is the Parish Council funded, and what does it spend it on?

The Parish Council is able to receive an annual precept  which is collected as part of local ‘council tax’.  Most of the precept is spent on maintenance for the village green, Scarrow Green, verges, street lighting and public liability insurance.

How are decisions made?

The Parish Council makes decisions at meetings which are held in Skipwith Village Hall usually on the first Thursday of every other month at 19:00. The dates are advertised on the Events page of our website and on the Parish Notice Board on Main Street.

Council meetings are open to the public except for any part that deals with sensitive information.