Annual meeting of the Parish- Thursday 15th May 2025

The Annual Parish Meeting is the meeting where the parish council report to its electorate on what
it has accomplished in the preceding year.
Electors, public and press are invited are the to hear reports from the Chairman, Divisional
Councillor, community groups and any organisation that the parish council has funded
during the year.
The Council may also invite the local community policeman, neighbourhood watch co-ordinator,
local headmaster etc. to address and inform the audience on community matters.
The Annual Parish Meeting is a SEPARATE meeting from the Parish Council Annual Meeting. The
Annual Parish Meeting should be a relatively informal event for the community whereas the Annual
Meeting of the Parish Council is a formal council meeting.
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council must be held in the month of May and in an election
year the meeting must be held between 4 and 14 days after polling day. This is the meeting of the
parish council where they elect the chairman, make other annual appointments and review their
insurance, risk management policies, etc.
When must the Annual Parish Meeting be held?
The annual parish meeting must be held between 1st March and the 1st June (inclusive) each year
on a date decided by the Parish Council. If there is no Parish Council then on a date decided by
the Chairman of the Parish Meeting. LGA 1972 s 14 (1)(2)
The Annual Parish Meeting may not start earlier than 6:00pm. (LGA 1972 s 14 (4))
It is recommended that in an election year the Annual Parish Meeting should be held after the
elections to prevent the meeting being used as hustings for potential District and County
Councillors.
How should the Annual Parish Meeting be conducted?
There should be an opportunity for the public and press to express their opinions on what the
council are doing during the meeting.
Many town and parish councils make this meeting a community event by providing refreshments,
presentations from community groups and providing an informal atmosphere.

The Annual Parish Meeting is usually called by the Chairman of the Parish Council. However any
parish meeting may be called by… (LGA 1972 s 15 (1))
• The Chairman of the Parish Council,
• Any 2 Councillors from the parish,
• Any 6 registered electors from the parish

The meeting should be chaired by the Parish Council Chairman or in their absence
the Parish Council Vice Chairman. LGA 1972 ss 17(1))
However, there is no requirement for the Parish Council Chairman to attend a meeting of the
parish but they are entitled to attend. LGA 1972 s 16
If neither the parish council chair nor the vice chair are present then those electors present may
appoint a chairman for the meeting. LGA 1972 ss 17(3)

No votes taken at this meeting are binding on the parish council although they should consider
them at the next meeting of the parish council. Only members on the electoral roll can vote on an
issue. Other members of the public can attend and express their opinions but not vote.