Parish Council

Role The purpose of the Parish Council is to ensure that the local environment is maintained and developed to satisfy as far as possible, the wishes of the electorate and that community facilities meet the needs of the parish.

Organisation The Parish Council consists of a Chairman, Vice Chairman and seven members together with the Parish Clerk. The council meets ten times a year.

Elections Parish elections normally occur every four years. The current Parish Council was elected in May 2006 and this was one of a few contested elections in the Borough reflecting a high degree of local interest.

Finance Parishioners pay Council Tax set by Hampshire County Council, based upon house value. In addition parishes raise a ‘precept’ to cover local costs such as maintenance of sports fields and play areas.

Chairman, St Mary Bourne Parish Council

The Fire of 29 January 2007 - Update March 2008 - The Owners of Hansdale, The Cottage and Langley would like to appraise everyone of the current situation in relation to the reinstatement of the Cottages, following the Fire in January 2007. More information...

On 16^th October 2007 villagers heard to their great dismay that St Mary Bourne Post Office has been nominated for closure in its current form. For further information click here.

In response to a 10 year campaign by the Parish Council ”Southern Water has started work to reduce the risk of sewer flooding in St Mary Bourne” reported the Andover Advertiser on 22 February 2008. More information...

Click here to view recent communications with the Environment Agency and Southern Water regarding sewer infiltration and overpumping of raw sewage into the Bourne Rivulet

Sir George Young MP, a former resident of St Mary Bourne, has become increasingly worried by the lack of progress in resolving the problems that confront residents of the village, where raw sewage has been pumped out of the sewers into the river. "They are having to put up with a problem that was solved in London in the 1850's". Sir George has written to the Chairman of Southern Water, asking for the necessary investment to finance a sustainable solution and a repair programme to be implemented forthwith - to see his letter click here - or here

Quality Parish Council Status

St Mary Bourne Parish Council 24^th February 2005

The St Mary Bourne Parish Council was delighted to receive notification on Monday 21^st February that they had been awarded ‘Quality Council’ Status.

This award has been achieved as a result of the St Mary Bourne Parish Council working as an effective, actively involved, properly managed, hard working team of Councillors and Parish Clerk.

The Government scheme launched in March 2003 gives recognition to Parish and Town Councils who can demonstrate through a series of tests that they are in touch with their communities, competent and capable of taking an enhanced role within the local government framework.

The award will give the council greater credibility in the eyes of the local community and the principal authorities; enable them to be more representative of the local community and able to deliver more local services and be eligible for additional grant funding.

The St Mary Bourne Parish Council formally received its award at a reception in the Great Hall, Winchester, on Tuesday 1^st March, thereby becoming the ninth council in Hampshire to be awarded ‘Quality Status’.

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This page was last edited on 19 May 2008