Chideock Parish Council

What areas does Chideock Parish Council cover?

Chideock Parish consists of Chideock village together with the hamlet of Seatown and the part of North Chideock to the west of the River Winniford.  ​The Parish is in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is mainly rural in character. The National Trust owns much of the coastline, including Langdon Hill and Golden Cap (which is in the adjoining parish of Stanton St Gabriel). 

​The busy A35 trunk road bisects Chideock village from east to west. The southern part of the Parish area is designated as Dorset Heritage Coast and includes a section of the Jurassic Coast, England's first natural World Heritage Site.

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Tell me more about the Parish Council?

Chideock Parish Council has 7 councillor positions, and at least 3 must be present at a meeting of the full council, a committee or a sub-committee, in order for it to legally take place.

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What services and powers does the Parish Council provide/have?

The Parish Council provide a number of services to the villages of Chideock and Seatown and hold powers to provide and maintain services should they so wish, including powers to:

• provide and maintain allotments for cultivation (this is currently organised by Bridport Town Council

• provide and maintain monuments and memorials, including the maintenance of the grounds of the church in the parish.

• make bye-laws in regard to pleasure grounds, cycle parks and open spaces and burial grounds.

• provide and equip buildings for use of clubs having athletic, social or educational objectives, including contributing to the upkeep and maintenance of the village hall.

• spend money on various crime prevention measures.

• provide defibrillators.

• deal with rivers, ponds and ditches (via the Lengthsman and/or other contractors).

• provide entertainment and support of the arts.

• repair and maintain public footpaths and bridleways (via the Lengthsman and Rangers).

• allocate grants to help local organisations support community development.

• acquire land and open spaces for the benefit of the public.

• prosecute and defend any legal proceedings in the interests of the inhabitants.  Power to take part in any public local inquiry.

• provide litter and dog bins.

• provide and maintain play equipment.

• plant and maintain roadside verges.

• provide and maintain public seats, benches and notice boards.

• erect signs which warn of dangers or announce a place name, or indicate a bus stop.

• contribute to, and encourage tourism.

• contribute financially to traffic calming schemes.

• spend money on community transport schemes.

• maintain the village open spaces.

• maintain, repair, protect and adapt war memorials.

• issue fixed penalty fines for litter, graffiti, fly posting and dog offences.

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What about Highways?

The Parish Council hold powers to provide and maintain services should they so wish, including powers to:

• light roads and public places.

• provide parking places for vehicles, bicycles and motorcycles.

• enter into agreement as to dedication and widening.

• provide traffic signs and other notices.

• plant trees along verges.

• Consent of the Parish Council is required for ending maintenance of highway at public expense, or for stopping up or diversion of highway.

 

What rights do the Parish Council have in relation to Planning matters?

• Local councils have a right to be consulted of any planning application affecting their area and to make comments which the planning authority must take into account.

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What about General Expenditure Powers?

• In any situation not covered by one of the specific powers described above a council may spend a limited amount of money on any purpose which in its opinion is of direct benefit to its area or to the inhabitants.

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I see that there's a 'Precept' on my Council Tax bill - what is this?

A precept is set annually by the Parish Council being the “local” tax paid by local tax payers.  The precept is collected through the Council Tax by Dorset Council.  ​

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Where can I find more information about the Parish Council's policies and financial information?

You can read our policies and see the current published financial information on our Policies & Financial Information page.

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