Colchester Borough Council | Essex County Council | Parliamentary Constituency | Euro Constituency

1.
The Parish Council after the local election held in 2006 comprises of 6 members that represent a population recorded on the electoral role of 239 in Messing and 79 in Inworth. Members are elected every four years and the next election will be in 2010. Those interested in serving on the Parish Council are particularly welcome to attend meetings, and should ask the Clerk for advice on co-option and election procedures. There is currently a vacancy in the Inworth Ward.
   
2. The main activities of Messing-cum-Inworth Parish Council include:
Setting the annual precept (local rate) to cover the Council's running costs. Annual production of accounts for public accountability.

Liaison with the local police and Neighbourhood Watch on crime, security and traffic issues.

Scrutiny and comment on planning applications within the parish, submitted to the local planning authority, Colchester Borough Council.

Initiation of capital projects to improve the environment, appearance and amenities within the village such as play equipment, and restoration work.

Maintenance, repairs and improvements to parish facilities including recreational areas.

Liaison with other local authorities on the maintenance, repair and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, street cleaning, conservation matters including trees and listed buildings, and environmental issues such as quarrying and waste recycling.

Investigation and resolution of local problems and complaints received from the community.
3. The Council has a part-time Clerk to deal with all correspondence, take minutes, and execute Council decisions.The administration of the Council is run from the Clerk's residence.
Full Council meetings are held at the Village Hall generally every third Tuesday in the month but this may vary as notified on the notice boards. There are however no meetings during the months of August and December. The meeting in May includes the annual Parish Meeting when the council reports back to anyone who wishes to come and when the officers and committes are elected for the following year. Committee meetings are held when required. The times and the agenda of each meeting are posted on the notice boards in Messing at the village hall, the village green and in Inworth at the Prince of Wales pub. The times and locations are also published on the link above the menu on the left.
   
4. There are two standing Committees, Village Green and Planning. Apart from planning applications, where the Committee has authority from Council to comment directly to the Borough Council, all Committees make their recommendations to the Council except where the Chairman of Council rules that the item is urgent and cannot wait for the Council meeting or the Council has specially delegated authority for that Committee to make a decision on a specific item.
   
5. The members of the Council hope that in the future the Council will become more of a forum for village ideas, and that people will become more involved with the Council for the good of the whole parish. Anyone who wants to come to even a part of a meeting will be most welcome, especially if the Parish Council is discussing an issue which affects you. The Chairman can invite members of the public to speak if you indicate that you would like to. Parishioners are welcome to attend any meeting, and time is made available for them to voice any concerns. Councillors may respond and ask questions but no decisions may be taken in this period. The public may not speak once the meeting proper has started. If the item they are concerned about appears on the agenda, their points will be taken into consideration while that item is discussed. There is a similar opportunity to speak at Committee meetings. The two District Councillors try to attend Parish Council Meetings.
   
6. Matters for further discussion - this item at the end of each agenda is designed for matters which are to be reported as of general interest. No decision should be taken under this item. Please report minor items such as potholes or fly tipping to the clerk direct as these need not be minuted.