Parish and town councils
Parish and town councils are elected local authorities. Larger settlements generally have town councils, while smaller ones have parish councils. Parish councils are not church organisations and not all parishes have councils.
East Sussex has 82 parish councils and 10 town councils situated in Lewes, Rother and Wealden. There are no parish councils in Eastbourne and Hastings and no town council in Bexhill.
Find out more about how we are working with parish and town councils.
What do they do?
Parish and town councils work at the most local level of government. They do a great deal to improve local services and the quality of life in their communities. The councils differ in size and capacity.
Services they provide include:
- allotments
- cemeteries
- litter bins
- recreation fields
- bus shelters
- parish lighting
- playgrounds.
The County Council may also delegate services, such as grass cutting and maintenance of rural signposts, to some parish or town councils.
Becoming a parish or town councillor
We regularly consult with parish and town councils before we make decisions that affect their community. Becoming a parish or town councillor is therefore an excellent way of influencing these decisions, and those of other organisations that affect your community.
Elections
Parish and town councillors are elected by local residents. Elections take place every four years. The next parish and town council elections take place in May 2011. Find out more about standing as a councillor:
Or contact your local parish council, below.
Contact your parish or town council
Find contact details for parish and town councils in:
East Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS) also lists contact details and websites (where available):
County councillors in your local parish
You may wish to contact your East Sussex County Councillor. Find county councillors in your local parish.
