Beckingham-Cum-Saundby Parish Council consists of residents of both villages who are 11 voluntary Councillors serving a four year term ending in 2023 and 3 part-time members of staff.

Council Meetings are usually held on the Wednesday following the 2nd Monday of Bi-Monthly 6 times per year, May, Jul, Sep are in the Sunrise Plants Cafe in Saundby, Nov, Jan, Mar are in the Rec Room in Beckingham. Whilst meetings are open to the public, please understand that Council meetings are held in public, but they are not public meetings, the public are not allowed to comment, speak, take part in the meeting or disrupt it. There is a designated time for the public to speak, should they wish to do so, please see our Public Participation Policy for furt ther details. Please See the diary of meetings for more information.

Origins - Beckingham Parish Council was founded in December 1894 by the Local Govt Act. The Act split the non-religious elements of the former 'Vestry Meetings' into those of Parish Council's and Parochial Church Councils. At our formation, a local person was appointed Surveyor of Highways, Roads & Drains (a Parish Employee who looked after the repair of the roads) and two people acted as 'Overseers of the Precept' whose role was to collect the precept monies to run the Council. The Overseer roles were abolished in 1927 when Precept collection duties transferred to the District Council, the Surveyor role was abolished in 1952 when County Councils took over the maintenance of the roads. In 1980 Saundby Parish Meeting merged with Beckingham Parish Council to form Beckingham-Cum-Saundby Parish Council.

The role of the Parish Council has changed over the years with ever changing legislation.

Did you know?

The primary purpose of a parish council is to represent the concerns of parish residents and provide some services to meet local needs. Parish councils have a wide range of powers which may include looking after community buildings, play parks, street furniture and land.

The most common areas that Parish Councils get involved in include planning issues, managing open spaces and village halls. It is fair to say that on their own, Parish Councils have limited decision-making powers, but they do have the ability to negotiate with, and the power to influence, those organisations that do make final decisions, such as District and County Councils, health authorities etc. These authorities know that a Parish Council gives the best reflection of how a community feels about something and its views will be taken seriously.

Parish councils are a form of Local Government being the first tier of local and community consultation. They are democratically elected Local Authorities and exist in England, Wales and Scotland. Parish and Town Councils, often known simply as "local councils" exist in many English Parishes. They vary from councils based in small rural villages to ones serving large urban areas with thousands of electors. The "parish council" is a civil organisation and should not be confused with the term "parish church" or "parochial church councils" that administer parishes of the Church of England. Civil parish councils were formed in England under the Local Government Act 1894 which developed the civil structure from the previously ecclesiastical parishes.

A parish council makes decisions on behalf of the people in a defined and bounded locality deemed to be "the parish". As the parish council is the authority closest to the residents of that locality they usually operate as the first place people will go with concerns or ideas and for this reason are a vital part of any community.

Civility & Respect - Zero Tolerance - The Parish Council is proud to support and follow the nationally recommended guidance from the National Association of Local Councils and the Society of Local Council Clerks in the promotion of civility and respect, bullying, harassment and intimidation will not be tolerated.

We treat everyone with courtesy and respect and ask for the same in return. We ask that you treat your councillors and council staff courteously without violence, abuse or harassment.

Councillors and council staff have the right to carry out their civic duties and work without fear of being attacked or abused. Any behaviour whether that be verbal, physical or in writing, which causes either councillors or council staff to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or threatened, is totally unacceptable.

The zero-tolerance policy includes abuse, aggression or threats made in person, over the telephone or in written communication, including on social media.

The council considers threatening behaviour to be:

• Attempted or actual aggressive, or physical actions made towards any councillor or member of staff.
• The use of aggressive, or abusive language, (including raising of the voice, swearing, shouting or in writing) which threatens or intimidates councillors or council staff.

This policy applies throughout all council meetings, but it also applies to any councillor or council staff away from council meetings."

There is often confusion over what is the responsibility of the Parish Council, District Council or County Council. The below schedule explains a list of duties which are NOT Parish Council related:

Our councillors are elected or co-opted. They do not get paid, receive a salary or an expenses allowance, they volunteer their time for the community.

As a Parish Councillor you become somebody who residents will look to for help, guidance and support, a community leader with the power to influence decisions for the benefit of the people they serve. Seeing your community change for the better, because of decisions you have helped to make, is something that gives a sense of achievement and pride. The main role of Clerk is to ensure that the Council conducts its business properly and to provide independent, objective, and professional advice and support.

Below are the historic records of the Council, the originals have been sent to Nottinghamshire Archives:

• Receipts and Payment Books;
• April 1915-March 1957 and May 1960-March 1981
• April 1980-March 1990 and April 1990-March 2009.
• Burial Board Minutes ;
• Nov 1960-June 1967
• Burial Board Accounts;
• Dec 1971-April 1992
• Cash Book;
• April 1990-March 1998
• History Group Calendar 2007
• Annual Meetings;
• Dec 1894-May 1985
• May 1986-May 2013
• Minutes of Monthly Meetings;
• April 1955-Dec 1974 Feb 1975-April 1980 May 1980-Nov 1986 Dec 1986-Jan 1993
• Feb 1993-Dec 1996
• 1996 - 2008
• 2008 - 2020
• Correspondence
• 1922 - 1930