Stevington Parish Council is a statutory local authority and the closest tier of local government to you. The Parish Council has an overall responsibility for the wellbeing of its local community and makes decisions on behalf of the people who live in the Parish. It also provides residents with a democratic voice and structure for taking community action.
The Parish Council is a Statutory Body with powers under, but not exclusively, the Local Government Act 1972 and the Public Health Act 1936. It is up to Stevington Parish Council to choose what is appropriate for the Community it serves.
2025 - 26 MEETING CALENDAR
YOUR PARISH COUNCILLORS
The office of Parish Councillor is a voluntary post and Councillors are elected by the residents of Stevington. Elections take place every 4 years, with the current Parish Council confirmed in post May 2023 following an uncontested election. The office of Chair and Vice Chair and the responsibility held by individual Councillors are reviewed each year at the Council's Annual Meeting.
Areas of Responsibility: Grounds Maintenance Contract, Barringer Trust, Village Magazine, Village Welcome Pack
Janet was co-opted to the Parish Council in September 2018, elected in 2019 and elected Chair in May 2023
Areas of Responsibility: Environment Group, Flood Resilience Group, East West Rail (EWR)
John was co-opted to the Parish Council in January 2021
Areas of Responsibility: Social Centre Executive Committee, East West Rail (EWR) , Highways
James was co-opted to the Parish Council in November 2023
Areas of Responsibility: Police & Crime, East West Rail (EWR)
Gareth was co-opted to the Parish Council in November 2023
Areas of Responsibility: Highways, East West Rail (EWR)
Jim was co-opted to the Parish Council in September 2024
Areas of Responsibility: tbc
Areas of Responsibility: tbc
THE PARISH CLERK
Our Parish Clerk, Rosemary Plum joined us in February 2023 and can be contacted using the details on this page.
Rosemary says: "I have lived in North Bedfordshire all my life and local community is very special to me. My professional career in TV production has taken me around the world but ‘coming home’ to Bedfordshire at the end of every shoot was always something I looked forward to. I’m genuinely interested in our social history, village traditions and how we can continue to shape our future."
The Parish Clerk is an employee of the Parish Council and not an elected officer. The clerk must provide independent, objective and professional advice and support to the Council and ensure its business is conducted efficiently, correctly and lawfully.
The Clerk is accountable to the Council for the effective management of all its resources and will report to them as and when required.
Areas of responsibility:
The clerk is responsible for the day-to-day management of the affairs of the Council including correspondence, website, meeting agendas and minutes, maintaining Council financial records and monitoring the implementation of Council policies within its function as a Local Authority.
The Parish Clerk is required to provide independent and objective advice to assist the Council in forming overall policies, effective decision-making and constructive implementation of Council decisions.
CONTACT THE PARISH COUNCIL
Please note the role of Parish Clerk is a part time post with Stevington Parish Council.
Office hours are:
Monday 10:00 - 11:00
Tuesday 10:00 - 11:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 13:00
Thursday 10:00 - 11:00
Friday 10:00 - 11:00
If there is anything you feel the Council should be aware of, or if we can help or support you, please contact the Clerk and you will receive a reply to your email within 5 days.
Please leave a message if no reply.
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Stevington Parish Council meets every two months, on the third Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September and November, in the Village Hall. The Agenda is published on the Friday before the meeting and can be viewed on this website or on one of the parish noticeboards. You’ll find our noticeboards opposite the old School House notice and on the footpath at the bottom of The Bury. Minutes of Council meetings are published on this website.
All meetings of the Council and its Committees are open to the public and press other than in exceptional circumstances. Residents are welcome to attend Parish Council meetings and to address the meeting before the start of formal council business. Your Councillors are keen to hear about concerns on local issues and are here to listen to suggestions for the benefit of our village life.
ATTENDING A MEETING
Any parishioner is entitled to attend the meetings of Stevington Parish Council and there is no need to give notice of your intention to do so. We do however suggest you read the following notes to help you understand the Standing Orders and protocol you will encounter at the meeting. Familiarising yourself with the formality of a Parish Council meeting is likely to make participation more interesting for you.
A 15 minute period is allocated at the start of each Council meeting for parishioners to address the Committee. This is the only time you have a right to speak during the meeting, unless the Chair invites further comment to better inform the Council’s discussion and decision-making. You will have a time limit of 3 minutes to raise your issue so it’s a good idea to plan your statement or question in advance.
At the end of your intervention, you may be invited by the Chair to remain for the entirety of the meeting but you will only be able to listen to the discussions.