About the Parish Council

What is a Parish Council?

A Parish Council is a local authority established under the Local Government Act 1894, serving the residents of a defined civil parish. In Hertfordshire, we are part of a three-tier government system, alongside Hertfordshire County Council and East Herts District Council. Elections for the Parish Council take place every four years. Our role is to represent the community, advocate on its behalf, and work to improve village life by:

• Providing feedback on planning applications and local proposals.
• Undertaking projects that benefit residents.
• Partnering with other bodies to achieve community goals.
• Reporting issues and working with higher authorities to resolve them.
• Acting as a direct link between residents and the broader government system.

What Does Furneux Pelham Parish Council Do?

The Parish Council oversees and maintains several community assets, including:

• Village Hall car park
• Common land
• Allotments
• Bus shelters, noticeboards, and benches

We also play a vital role in managing local resources by setting a precept (a portion of council tax) to fund these responsibilities. Representation on Local Bodies Our Councillors work to strengthen community ties and support village initiatives. Current representatives include:

• Allotments
• Mary Wheatley Trust – Cllr S. Bratt & Cllr H. Smart
• Village Hall – Vacancy

We’re here to ensure Furneux Pelham remains a thriving, connected, and welcoming village. If you have questions or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you!

Meetings: Our meetings are open to everyone. Check the meetings page for upcoming dates, agendas (posted three days in advance), and draft minutes, which are usually available within a week.

Financial and Governance Information: Explore our financial reports and governance documents to see how we operate transparently.

Planning: Stay updated with the latest planning applications from East Herts Council.

Reporting Issues: Need to report a pothole, streetlight issue, or flooding? Use the quick link to Hertfordshire County Council’s reporting tool.

If you have suggestions for the website or notice an error, please contact our Parish Clerk, Yvonne Merritt, at clerk@furneuxpelham-pc.gov.uk. We’re here to help!
Explore the site to learn more about our work, access helpful resources, and stay up-to-date with community news and events.