In a thought-provoking interview, Jackie Weaver, the unlikely internet sensation from the viral Handforth Parish Council meeting, has advocated for parish councils to play a more significant role in local democracy. Weaver, now the chief officer for the Cheshire Association of Local Councils, believes that parish councils should “absolutely” have greater authority as the government plans a reorganisation with more elected mayors.
The discussion comes after a Norfolk parish councillor suggested that “more services” are likely to come down to the third tier of local government. Weaver acknowledged that parish councils already have “wide-ranging powers” but do not always utilise them effectively. She emphasised the need to support and help councils understand the extent of their authority and how they can employ it in the evolving landscape of local government.
“There is some work to be done in supporting and helping our councils to understand what powers they do have, and how they might use them going forward in this new world – where we are beginning to look quite seriously at proper devolution down to parish council level,” Weaver said.
The government has stated that it values the important role of parish councils and encourages them to work collaboratively with other tiers of local government. However, Weaver’s comments suggest that more can be done to empower these grassroots-level authorities.
Lacey Douglas, a Hellesdon Parish Council councillor, echoed Weaver’s sentiments, highlighting the “lots of unknowns” and “lots of opportunities” that come with the ongoing local government reorganisation. Douglas raised concerns about whether parish councils will receive additional funding to take on new responsibilities or if they will have to rely on their existing budgets.
Jonathan Hall, the Hellesdon Parish Council clerk, also acknowledged that the reorganisation will likely result in parish councils taking on greater responsibilities, potentially filling the void left by the more distant unitary authorities.
As the local government landscape continues to evolve, Weaver’s call for greater authority and support for parish councils could pave the way for a more vibrant and engaged grassroots democracy, bringing decision-making closer to the communities they serve.
