What is a Parish Council?
Parish or Town Councils are an important tier of Government within the UK; a Parish/Town Council is the smallest and most localised tier of local government in the UK and is a properly constituted local authority.
The powers and duties, and the manner in which a Parish Council operates, are laid out in local government statute and regulations; Parish Councils operate at a level below national government and also below district and county councils.
Government Definition
The Parish Council has legal responsibilities as an employer and sometimes as an owner of public land and buildings.
Parish Councils are Statutory Bodies, having powers under a number of different Acts (the Local Government Act 1972, the Public Health Act 1936, etc.). Only a few Councils need to use all their available powers. It is up to each Council to choose what is appropriate for the community they serve.
The Council raises funds by the annual Precept is set in January of each year. The amount required is guided by the setting of the annual budget in the November preceding.
The Parish Council precept is added to the Council Tax bill and is collected by the Mid Sussex District Council (on behalf of the Parish Council).
The Council also raises funds through grants from other organisations.
Bolney Parish Council
The Council is a non-political body with nine voluntary members who are elected every four years. The Council acts on behalf of the community, giving views on planning applications and other proposals that affect the parish. It can also influence other decision makers and help deliver services to meet local needs and make a difference. We raise money through the precept and have a range of powers to spend this money efficiently to provide an effective service and improve the quality of life and the local environment.
The Parish Council is a point of contact for ideas and suggestions to improve life in the village. We have one part-time employee, the Clerk & RFO whose role is to ensure that the Council, as a whole, conducts its business properly and to provide independent, objective and professional advice and support.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the values of the community and to enhancing the quality of village life and pride in Bolney.
Council Meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday of every month.
The dates for 2025 are:
21st October 2025, 18th November 2025, 16th December 2025.
The Parish Clerk is Mrs Debbie Thomas: Telephone: 01444 230711
Email»
Responsibilities of the Parish Council
The Parish Council thus has responsibility for the following areas:
- Development of the Neighbourhood Plan and consultee recommendations on all planning applications within the Parish.
- Responding to major planning issues such as the District Plan, on behalf of the village.
- Community grants: supporting local groups and good causes by awarding grants.
The higher tiers of local government
Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC)
Bolney forms part of the newly created ward of Cuckfield, Bolney and Ansty.
The head office of MSDC is in Haywards Heath, and it is responsible for the following areas:
- Planning applications (including for listed buildings and conservation areas)
- Licensing
- Waste and recycling collections
- Council tax and business rates
- Sports and recreation facilities (in Bolney, MSDC is responsible for the upkeep and running of Batchelor’s Field and the children’s play area)
- Parking enforcement
- Road closures
- Litter and street cleaning.
The MSDC ward councillors are
Mr Malcolm Avery; email: malcolm.avery@midsussex.gov.uk
and Mr Jim Knight; email jim.knight@midsussex.gov.uk.
Full details of MSDC services can be found at https://www.midsussex.gov.uk,
or by calling 01444 458166
West Sussex County Council (WSCC)
WSCC has its head office in Chichester and is responsible for the following areas:
- Highways (roads, potholes, grass verges, street lighting, etc.)
- Schools and education
- Social services
- Libraries
- Registrar – Births, Deaths and Marriages
- County Records Office
- Fire and Rescue Services
- Waste disposal (such as recycling centres).
Recycling Centre
The nearest recycling centre to Bolney is the Burgess Hill Recycling Centre at Fairbridge Way, Burgess Hill, RH15 8AR.
From Monday 12th February, West Sussex residents will need to pre-book a timed slot to visit one of the 11 permanent West Sussex Recycling Centres. Slots can be booked on the same day or up to 14 days in advance, and are for either 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the site chosen.
Click here for more information
County Councillor: Mr Rodney Jackson
Email: rodney.jackson@westsussex.gov.uk.
Full details of WSCC services can be found at https://www.westsussex.gov.uk,
or by calling 01 243 777 100.
National Government
Bolney is part of the Mid-Sussex constituency, and is represented by Alison Bennett MP (Liberal Democrat) in Parliament. Email: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk.