Parish Meetings

On 31 March 2002, England contained about 10,200 parishes, whose populations varied from single figures to nearly 49,000; areas from a few acres to nearly 100 square miles; and regular expenditure from a few pounds to £2,000,000. Of these 10,200 parishes, 8,629 have parish councils.

All parishes by law must assemble annually on some day between 1 March and 1 June. Any parish not having a parish council must meet at least twice a year. The Annual Parish Assembly for 2008 will be held on Friday 16 May, 8pm in Pluckley Village Hall.

The draft minutes of last year's Annual Parish Assembly may be downloaded here

In England, the chairman of a parish council, any two parish councillors, or any six local government electors, may at any time convene a parish meeting. Seven clear days notice of the holding of a parish meeting must be given . If the business relates to the establishment or dissolution of a parish council, or the grouping of the parish with another, then at least fourteen days notice must be given. It must not be held in premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor, unless there is no other suitable room available.
Minutes of every parish meeting must be kept in a book provided for that purpose and these must be signed at the next assembly of the parish meeting by the person presiding.

Every question is decided by the majority of those present and voting on the question. Each local government elector has the right to give one vote and no more on any question. The decision announced by the chairman is final, unless a poll is demanded.
Parish meetings have the general power to discuss parish affairs and pass resolutions, but these will not bind the parish council.
[information taken from The Parish Councillor’s Guide by John Prophet and Local Council Administration by Charles Arnold Baker.
Pluckley Parish Meetings

The original minutes of Pluckley’s parish meetings from March 1898 to April 1995 are deposited at Kent County Archives, County Hall, Maidstone. From 1996 onwards they are in the keeping of the Clerk to Pluckley Parish Council. These minutes, in their entirety, have been transcribed and will be found on this website - See below.