Your Village Needs You!

Posted: March 29, 2010 
Filed under: Of interest around Laneham
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The next Parish Council elections are in May this year. A number of Councillors, who have served the Village for many years, are standing down and will not apply for re-election. Whenever there are elections and particularly on this occasion, there is an opportunity for a Council with new faces and fresh ideas.

The Council consists of 7 members, with a Parish Clerk to ensure smooth administration. I believe that the purpose of the Parish Council is to make the Parish of Laneham a more enjoyable place in which to live. To this end the Council interfaces with service providers such as Bassetlaw District Council, Notts County Council, the Police etc., to make sure Laneham receives the services to which it is entitled. The Council also is a focus point for Community projects and is instrumental in obtaining funding for such projects. As all the Council members live in the community, it is in the best position to represent the villagers interests and uses the Parish Plan, 2008 as guidance.

To my knowledge, this is the first time a flyer has been distributed to all households advising them of the forthcoming elections. I have two reasons for doing so. Firstly, as a number of Councillors are “retiring”, it is very important that they are replaced, so that Laneham Parish Council can continue to function as an independent Council. Secondly, but equally important, is to improve the democratic process and give all the eligible residents the opportunity to put their names forward. I very much hope that there will be more than 7 applicants which would necessitate an election. I feel that if Councillors are actually elected, then this gives them more authority in representing residents.

So please consider standing as a Councillor for Laneham Parish Council. Forms are available from myself (228439) or The Returning Officer at Bassetlaw District Council and need to be submitted before April 8 . The amount of commitment is down to each individual. As a minimum, Councillors should attend as many Parish Council meetings as possible. They are held on a monthly basis and last a maximum of 2 hours.

George Scrini

Chairman of Laneham Parish Council