What is a Parish Council?

Parish councils make all kinds of decisions on issues that affect the local community. It is the most locally elected body within the English system of local government. They have a wide range of powers at their disposal including giving grants to local organisations, promoting tourism, cleaning public places and providing recreational areas such as playing fields and village halls. The most important role is as a statutory consultee on planning matters. The Local Planning Authority has to consult the Council on all Planning Applications within the Parish boundary.

Tattingstone Parish Council is the first tier of a three-tier system of local government, with Babergh District Council, (in this area) and Suffolk County Council being the next two tiers, all elected by people within the region.

Our Babergh District Councillor for Alton Ward is Jane Gould and our Suffolk Councillor is David Wood. 

​​The Council has a set of rules called Standing Orders by which the Council, its elected Members and its Officers conduct their activities. 

​The Parish Council delivers a range of services at a community level and its role is to represent the local community, provide services to meet local needs and improve quality of life and community well being.