Cookham Parish Council
Quick Links: | Framework | Role of the Parish Council
Democratic framework
Cookham Parish is divided for democratic purposes into areas called Wards. Cookham Parish Council has three wards and the number of councillors are elected according to the population in each ward. There are fifteen councillors representing the electors of Cookham Parish:
- Cookham Ward (Cookham Village) represented by two councillors
- Cookham Rise Ward represented by nine councillors
- West Ward (Cookham Dean) represented by four councillors
In addition, there are three Borough Councillors for Cookham and neighbouring Bisham Parish.
If a resident of Cookham Parish wishes to bring a matter to the attention of the Parish Council there are several options available to them:-
- By contacting one of their Ward Parish Councillors who will endeavour to answer any questions the resident may have or alternatively put the query in front of the Parish Council on behalf of the resident.
- By contacting the Parish Council’s office, via telephone (01628 522003), letter, or email office@cookham-pc.gov.uk or via the interactive pages on this website
- By putting the question at a Parish Council Meeting – the first fifteen minutes is set aside for any issues raised by Members of the Public.
Democratic elections
Parish Councillors are democratically elected every four years at the Local Government Elections, although from time to time Parish Council seats need to be filled, for various reasons, within the term of office.
To be eligible for office a prospective candidate must be 18 or over, a British subject or citizen of the Irish Republic and an elector.
In addition, the candidate must have, during the whole of the twelve months before the day of nomination, resided in the parish or within three miles of it, or occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises therein or had their principal or only place of work there.
There are also several disqualifications which may apply which include undischarged bankruptcy, being an employee or contractor of the council and criminal convictions.
Further criteria apply and full details can be obtained by contacting the Parish Council’s office.
Each year a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman are elected by the Council.
The Chairman (or Vice-Chairman in his or her absence) presides over the meeting to ensure that it is conducted in an orderly, efficient and legal manner.
The decisions of the Parish Council are then carried out by the Clerk.
The role of a Parish Council
The local council acts within the framework of legislation conferred on it by Parliament:
- Representation – The Parish Council often voices the views of its inhabitants on many issues. For example it makes representation on planning applications.
- Consultation – Several bodies including the Borough/District Council consult with the Parish Council to gather local opinion and concerns. For example when a Local Plan is being drafted the Parish Council will be asked to consider its impact on the Parish.
- Promotional – the Parish Council is often the body required to take a lead on issues affecting the interests of its area. This is seen as a natural role, as a local council may be the only body with initial access to information and with the resources and capability to act.
- Executive – As an executive body, the Parish Council has many statutory functions and, as the elected body of the parish, it has powers of decision.
- The Parish Council owns and manages certain assets including recreational spaces in the Parish
- The Parish Council manages footpaths and allotments in the Parish
- The Parish Council manages the cemetery at Long Lane
- The Parish Council is also the ‘first port of call’ for many residents enquiring about public services and the Parish Council endeavours to answer these queries as efficiently as possible.
Meetings
All meetings are held on Tuesday evenings in the Community Room at the Library building in Cookham Rise, and start at 7.30pm unless otherwise advised.
The full schedule can be found in on the Meetings page.
Minutes archive
In addtion to the current year’s minutes on the Meetings page, the previous two years of minutes from Council Meetings and from its committee meetings are available as downloadable PDF links here. If you wish to see any minutes earlier than those provided on this website, please contact the Clerk.
The full setof meetings are:
- Full Parish Council Meetings
- Finance Committee Meetings
- Planning Committee Meetings
- General Purposes Committee Meetings
- Flood Committee Meetings
Annual Parish Meetings (APM)
These are community meetings which the Council will organise each year but are not Council meetings as such. The APM is usually held in March.
Previous APM minutes can be viewed on the APM page.
