A Parish Council is the smallest and most localised tier of local government in the UK and is a properly constituted local authority.

Parish Councils provide a focus for local activity in their communities, encouraging local people to make their views known, particularly on issues about maintaining and improving the character of the local area. A key role, then, of Parish Councils is to express those views to other public bodies, such as the Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, particularly on planning applications and other environmental or quality of life concerns.

Woolley Parish Council has seven parish councillors who will serve until 2019. The Parish Council aims to help residents and be a point of contact for ideas and suggestions for improvements in the parish. The work of the members of the Council is voluntary, and the members give their time freely to help enhance the parish for the benefit of all residents.

The Localism Act 2011 requires parish councillors to publicly declare if they have certain financial (“pecuniary”) and any other (“non-pecuniary”) interests. These declarations are logged in a “Register of Interests” which is stored by Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. The declarations are public documents and all members of the Council are required to complete the forms.

The Parish Council has legal responsibilities as an employer and the Clerk acts as the Responsible Financial Officer and administrator and advises the Parish Council on lawful decision making and implementation.

The powers and duties, and the manner in which a parish council operates is laid out in local government statute and regulations. To comply with those regulations the council collectively conducts its business in accordance with a document agreed by the council from time to time known as Standing Orders. Individually, members must also conduct themselves in accordance with an agreed Code of Conduct. These documents are available for the public to view by contacting the Clerk.

 Notice of Community Governance Review Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007

Wakefield Metropolitan District Council (‘the Council’) has begun a Community Governance Review covering the whole of the Wakefield district. The purpose of the review is to enable the Council to consider what changes might be needed to parish arrangements. The Council has published its detailed Terms of Reference document for the review and a copy can be viewed on the Council website at www.wakefield.gov.uk/elections/cgr The Council is now conducting the first stage of consultation as part of the review process and is inviting residents and other interested persons or organisations to submit their views on the above issue. The Council welcomes representations from any residents and other interested persons or organisations who may wish to comment on the proposals in their local area or on any aspect of the matters under review. How to take part in the review Should you wish to make a written submission to the review you can do this by letter to: Community Governance Review Electoral Services County Hall Wakefield WF1 2QW You can also make a written representation by email to cgr@wakefield.gov.uk The deadline for submissions to the first phase of the consultation is 31 January 2022