About the Parish Council

About the Parish Council
Parish Councils are the smallest unit of local government and the closest to their electors. Councillors are elected and work to support and improve the area they represent. 

Following the uncontested election for Parish Councillors for Dalham & Dunstall Green Parish Council on 4 May 2023, seven Councillors have been duly elected.  Councillors are elected for a period of four years, with the next election scheduled to take place in May 2027.

Due to the resignation of Councillor Fitch, Dalham & Dunstall Green Parish Council now carry one vacancy.  If you would be interested in joining the council, please contact the Parish Clerk for further information.

The Chair of the Parish Council is John Riddell.  The Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) is Antonia King.  

A list of Parish Councillors can be found here.

What does the Parish Council actually do?
The Parish Council works to support and improve life of those living and working in the Parish, and ensure that the village voice is heard on issues including:

  • Planning, development and listed building consent
  • Conservation and tree preservation
  • Access to local services
  • Community life, topical issues and local concerns

Importantly, the Parish Council is responsible for setting the precept. This is money that the Council receives to cover the cost of the services it provides and any staff costs. The precept is one element of the Council Tax householders pay. The Councils employs a clerk to oversee its day to day affairs.

The Parish Council is a Statutory Consultee on planning applications, listed building consents and tree preservation orders that are submitted to West Suffolk Council as they relate to the Parish.  Accordingly, these applications are frequently discussed at Parish Council meetings.  Further information about the role of the Parish Council in dealing with planning applications can be found on the following briefing note.

The Parish Council employs a local contractor to cut the verges in Dalham and Dunstall Green, instructing as to the frequency and depth of the cut.

In addition, the Parish Council manages a small number of assets on behalf of the village (such as the village sign and noticeboards).  Further details are provided below.

The Parish Council aims to provide villagers with a link to with local government organisations like West Suffolk District Council and Suffolk County Council. 

Any problems in the village such as blocked street drainage, potholes, broken stiles on footpaths may be reported to the Clerk, although we do encourage villagers to report issues directly with  Suffolk County Council.  Further details can be found here.

What does the Parish Council not do?
The Parish Council is your local voice and provides a means to escalate issues or concerns to local government or various public agencies.  

It is however not responsible for:

  • Planning decisions – the Parish Council is a statutory consultee but does not make a planning decision
  • Planning enforcement – any enforcement of planning decisions is the responsibility of West Suffolk Council
  • Speeding enforcement – while this is a topical issue for the village and the Parish Council is working on measures to reduce speeding in the village, enforcement is a police issue
  • Potholes and other highways issues – we encourage villagers to reach out to Highways directly to report major issues

How often does the Parish Council meet?
The Council usually meets every two months in January, March, May, July, September and November. As of March 2023, meetings will take place on the second Wednesday of the month. Additional planning meetings may be held if planning applications come in between meetings.

There is also an Annual Parish Meeting which usually takes place in May. This is an open meeting for all electors of Dalham and an opportunity to ask questions relating to village affairs.

How often do elections take place?
Councillors are elected for a period of four years. The next election will take place in May 2027.

What assets does the Parish Council oversee?
The Council is responsible for the following property in the village:

  • The village sign
  • Three notice boards
  • The kissing gate and metal seat
  • The stone plaque in The Street
  • The litter bin and 4 grit bins
  • The defibrillator
  • The vehicle activated sign
  • The Malt Kiln Information sign and the QR footpath signs