The Role of Parish Councils
There are three tiers of Local Government in Quernmore - County Council, District (or Borough) Council, and Parish Council. Each tier has distinct responsibilities and works together to serve the needs of residents.
Parish Councils represent the first tier of local government - the level closest to the community.
Local Authorities - Who Does What? Parish Councils - Tier 1They provide valuable local insight and are increasingly taking on more community-focused responsibilities. These can include:
- Supporting local events and community groups
- Managing assets such as community centres, play areas, and noticeboards
- Reporting local issues like potholes, littering, and dog fouling
- Advocating for the needs and interests of residents to higher-tier authorities
They play an essential role in making their communities better places to live, work, and visit.
District Councils - Tier 2Quernmore Parish Council comes under Lancaster Council who has responsibility for:
- Collection of council tax and business rates
- Refuse, recycling, and litter collection
- Housing services and homelessness support
- Planning applications and local development
- Environmental health, including noise and animal nuisances
- Maintenance of parks, play areas, and open spaces
- Management of allotments
For information on District Council services:
Website: www.lancaster.gov.uk
Phone: 01524 582000
Email: customerservices@lancaster.gov.uk
Quernmore Parish Council comes under Lancashire County Council who has responsibility for:
- Children, education, and families
- Health and social care
- Transport and travel
- Roads, potholes, repairs, and gritting
- Recycling centres
- Fire and public safety
- Flooding
- Libraries and archives
- Trading standards
- Births, marriages, and deaths
For more information on County Council services:
Website: www.lancashire.gov.uk
Phone: 0300 123 6701
Email: enquiries@lancashire.gov.uk
Quernmore Parish Council
Quernmore Parish Council employs a part-time Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) who is responsible for all the administrative work associated with the day to day running of the Parish Council.
There are currently eight local people who serve as Councillors on the Parish Council and give their time voluntarily. There is one vacancy on the Council. Elections to serve as a Parish Councillor are held every four years, unless there is a resignation when a casual vacancy will be advertised on the website.
All meetings are open to the public and there is a period put aside at each meeting for public discussion where members of the public are able to express their views or ask questions.