Parish Polls

From Ppca

Under Schedule 12, Part 3, Paragraph 18 of the Local Government Act 1972 the people of a parish can require their District Council to hold a poll on almost any subject. The results of the poll are not legally binding on anybody but it is a very good way of measuring the strength of feel of a community. The decision making committees within your District Council are populated by elected representatives who will not ignore this voice!

The PPCA has used this mechanism to hold a poll on the Sedborough Wind Turbines proposal. The result was decisive: 81% against with a 34% turnout. This gave the PPCA a mandate to speak and campaign on behalf of the community.

It is of course not always appropriate and should not be over used as the government is already discussing removing this right.

The following is brief review of the steps to holding a Parish Poll.