THE COUNCIL

Hever Parish Council covers the three villages of Hever, Four Elms and Markbeech. It has ten Councillors, elected at four-yearly intervals, all of whom are local residents and offer their services voluntarily. A Parish Clerk, employed on a part-time basis, is responsible for administrative matters.

MEETINGS

The Council meets on six occasions each year unless circumstances call for a special meeting to be held on a particular issue. The Council meets in rotation at the Parish Room in Four Elms and the Village Halls of Hever and Markbeech. Meetings are advertised in good time and are open to the public.

FUNDING OF THE COUNCIL

The expenses of the Parish Council are raised and covered by a precept issued by the Parish Council to Sevenoaks District Council each year and collected in turn by the District Council as part of its Council tax.

POWERS

The Parish Council has power to deal with, or advise higher authorities on, a wide variety of local matters including :-

grants towards the cost of community projects;

roads, footpaths, rights of way and bridlepaths;

signposts; 

erection of traffic signs;

provision of off-street parking;

provision of seats and shelters at bus stops and other public places;

cleansing of ponds, ditches and drains;

outdoor recreational facilities; and

provision and development of community facilities.

PLANNING

The Parish Council is notified of all planning applications and sends its comments on these to Sevenoaks District Council prior to a decision being taken. The Parish Council will, where appropriate, join in any planning appeal and make representations.

TAKING ACTION

Generally, the Parish Council acts as a forum for local opinion, raising issues of local concern to residents, taking them up as appropriate, with either Sevenoaks District Council, Kent County Council, our M.P. or Government Ministers, as well as being actively engaged in the numerous consultation exercises conducted by Government on which local views are sought.

CONTACTS

Details of Parish Councillors and how to contact them are shown by clicking on Councillors shown in blue above.