The role of Parish Councils is going to see some significant changes over the next few years thanks to aspects of the Localism Bill and the more recent White Paper on Open Public Services. The latter calls for more powers over public service delivery to be in the hands of local communities, Parish and Town Councils. With government cuts across the public sector, Parish Councils will have an opportunity to step up to the challenge and shape their own future.

The reality of these proposals for Parish Councils like Headley is that in order to take on services traditionally delivered by the District or County Council it will need to raise funds through the precept, through increased partnership working, with our neighbouring parishes for example and take full advantage of external funding. Headley, like many other forward thinking Parish Councils is keeping a watching brief at these radical proposals as they make their way through the legislative process and will be looking to you, our residents to help support the Parish Council in shaping our community for the future.