Parish Council Responsibilities

Cofton Hackett Parish Council represents the residents within its parish, it aims to improve the life of the residents by providing services within its powers. It is a corporate body, independent of its members and can only operate within its statutory powers. The Council has statutory duties, which it must discharge, and discretionary powers, which it can choose to exercise if it wishes.

Your Parish Councillors are holders of a public office and can only be elected as a Councillor if they satisfy the statutory requirements for Local Councillors. Councillors are not volunteers and are entitled to receive payments for expenses (although they often do not). Councillors are expected to represent the views of residents within the Parish they represent and make an effective contribution to the operation of the Council. They must attend meetings of the Council (or send written apologies) and should make informed contributions to the Council’s decision-making process.

The following are all under the remit of the Parish Council:

The provision of allotments at our two allotment sites.

Residents of Cofton Hackett may apply for rental of an allotment plot, plots are very popular and are all occupied at the moment. If you wish to know more or to be added to the waiting list, please contact the Clerk.

The upkeep of the Myhill Field Play Area.

In 1977, the Parish Council purchased an area of land to create allotments and a play area for under 8s. The new play area was named the Myhill Field Play Area, as a tribute to Fred Myhill, who served as vicar in the parish for 22 years. With the help of grants, the Parish Council purchased play equipment in the form of swings and slides. In 2017 the Parish Council agreed to fund £20,000 for new equipment for the play area and has added further new items in 2021.

The play area is regularly inspected for safety by Councillors and annually by ROSPA.

The maintenance of street lighting on minor roads in the community (except the Cofton Fields Estate)

The Parish Council is responsible for the maintenance of all street lights on our older minor roads, please contact the Clerk if you notice a faulty or damaged street light. The Council has a policy of replacing faulty older sodium lamps with more efficient LED lamps.

Street lights on the new development are maintained by Mainstay (email: mail@mainstaygroup.co.uk). Responsibility for lights on our major roads are the responsibility of Worcestershire County Council, but our Clerk would be pleased to report any faults on these on your behalf.

The upkeep of Cofton Village Hall

Ownership of the new Village Hall was transferred to the Parish Council in 2019. The operation and running of the hall is the responsibility of the Trustees. The Village Hall website is www.coftonvillagehall.org

Consultation on planning applications within Cofton Hackett.

The Council is notified by Bromsgrove District Council of all planning applications and is invited to comment, express the views of residents and raise any objections. It is important to note that the Parish Council does not determine the outcome of planning applications, this is the responsibility of Bromsgrove District Council. The Parish Council is a consultee only.

Undertaking of projects and schemes that benefit local residents.

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Creating the neighbourhood plan and influencing long term development policy for the community.

For the responsibility of other tiers of local government please see the websites of Bromsgrove District Council and Worcestershire County Council.

The Council always welcomes the views of local residents on these and other matters and designates the first ten minutes of each meeting to an open public forum.
Please note: the Parish Council does not have jurisdiction over matters relating to traffic calming.