A Parish Council is a fundamental tier of Local Government - a democratically elected local authority that exists to help the local community. It is vested with powers so that it can influence such issues as planning, social housing and community services & facilities. It is also part of the consultation process of proposals by Central and Local Government.

Beaulieu Parish Council is headed by a Chair and Vice-Chair and comprises a further six Councillors, all drawn from the local community. Councillors serve on a voluntary basis but a paid part-time Clerk is employed to carry out an administrative role.

Representatives of New Forest District Council and Hampshire County Council attend Parish Council Meetings to report on District and County issues and take on board comments from the Parish Council. The Parish Council is responsible for maintaining, or informing district and county councils to maintain and amend council property, including road repairs, public bin collection drainage, street lighting. The Parish Council is empowered to award grants in support of the activities of local community organisations.

The individual and collective roles & resposibilities of Parish Council members are summarised as follows:

pdfBPC Roles & Responsibilities

Parish Councillors operate under our Code of Conduct and also our Civility & Respect Pledge

pdfBPC Code of Conduct

In order to deliver its services in an efficient and effective manner the Parish Council has established 3 Committees:

1. The Planning Committee - is responsible for reviewing all planning applications in detail and it has the delgated power to decide planning matters on behalf of the Parish Council. Its Terms of Reference are as follows:

pdfBPC Planning Committee TORs

 2. The Asset Management Committee -  is responsible for the review and upkeep of the assets that fall under the BPC’s responsibility. Its Terms of Reference are as follows:

pdfBPC Asset Mgt Committee TORs

3. Finance and General Purposes Committee - is responsible for oversight of the financial affairs of the Parish Council together with its constitutional documents, including Standing Orders, Code of Conduct and Policies. Its Terms of Reference are as follows:

pdfBPC Finance & GP Committee TORs