Wingfield Parish Council is looking for one more councillor to join the five current councillors. If you’re community spirited and could offer a small amount of time please read the information below to see if the role might be for you!

Wingfield Parish Council is the level of local government closest to the community, with Wiltshire Council above it in the hierarchy. The Parish Council is made up of six elected or co-opted local residents who give their time for the betterment of their community. It is funded through a precept, collected as part of council tax.

Elections to the Parish Council take place every four years. If a vacancy becomes available between elections then new Councillors are appointed by a process of co-option. The part-time Parish Clerk is the only employed member of the Parish Council. Their role includes supporting councillors, liaising with Wiltshire Council and service providers & administration of Parish Council funds.

What does Wingfield Parish Council do?

  • Represents the community: The Parish Council acts as a voice for residents, responding to their needs and concerns to improve local amenities and services.
  • Delivers local services: We provide services such as litter and grit bins, and helps with the maintenance of, and improvements to, footpaths and highways in conjunction with Wiltshire Council.
  • Comments on planning: The Parish Council is a statutory consultee on planning applications and other proposals that affect the parish.
  • Promotes community well-being: The Parish Council can fund community projects, support local groups, and organise events to engage with residents and improve our community. Recent projects include a seed swap, book and games exchange, a Hidden Gardens event and work with local schools to involve children in craft and nature.
  • Other responsibilities: Management of speed indicator devices, upkeep of road signage, litter picking, maintenance of the Wingfield roadside cross. We have emergency water pumps and generator available in case of emergency in the village, along with a gazebo available for private events.
  • Communication: We provide village and parish council information via a Facebook page, the Wingfield website, noticeboards and quarterly newsletters delivered to all households.

Wingfield Parish Council typically meets every six weeks at either the Mead School on Church Lane or at Stowford Manor Farm. Councillors often hold an informal meeting (online or in person) for interim discussions in preparation for the next formal meeting.

Wingfield Parish Council is an apolitical group without political allegiance or leanings, working only for the betterment of the Community in which we live.

How much time does being a Parish Councillor take?

It varies! We try to make sure that Parish Council business can fit in with busy lives. As a minimum, Councillors are expected to attend the formal Parish Council meeting, which takes place about every six weeks. Currently this meeting is held on a Wednesday evening and lasts about an hour and half. There are often documents to be read ahead of a meeting – perhaps details of a planning application, a finance update or a report on a planned event. There’s usually an informal councillor catch-up a couple of weeks before a Parish Council meeting and these are organised around Councillors’ availability as much as possible.

The time spent on Parish Council matters between meetings will depend on the projects a councillor is involved with and what’s going on in the village. Time might be spent reviewing a more significant planning application, on considering highways actions or planning a community event such as a litter pick.

There are other occasional meetings which one or more Councillors will attend to represent Wingfield, such as the Local Highways and Footpaths Improvement Group, the Bradford on Avon Area Board or environmental meetings, such as the Wild Waters Festival.

Part of the role of the part-time Clerk is to support councillors and to make sure their time is used as effectively as possible.

What skills are needed?

  • Engagement with the community: It’s important to be interested in the Wingfield community and to be able to engage with all residents, listening to community concerns and ideas.
  • Teamwork: Councillors must be able to work collectively for the benefit of the parish.
  • Decision-making: Willing to take the time to read & assess information, weigh options, and make fair, balanced decisions for the community.
  • Problem-solving: Resourceful in addressing local issues and finding practical solutions.
  • Organisational skills: Willing to be involved with organising events and meeting deadlines where necessary.
  • Administrative competence: Basic IT skills, including use of email and WhatsApp.
  • Integrity and impartiality: Committed to acting in the best interests of the community, without political bias.

If you would like to make a positive contribution to life in Wingfield then please contact Selina, the Clerk, for further information or speak to us at one of our regular meetings.