Farnham Royal Parish Council is made up of 11 councillors, all independent, elected every four years.    The post is unpaid and councillors give their time on a voluntary basis. There are 10 monthly meetings, which are open to the public, with time allowed for public comment.  A variety of parish issues are discussed but there is much that is done outside the meetings.

The responsibilities of the parish council include planning issues (although it can only comment and raise objections.  It has no power to take decisions on planning matters); maintaining open spaces within the villages, street lighting (over 200 lamp standards come under the parish council’s jurisdiction); public footpaths, publis toilets, litter, bus shelters and benches.

The council also works closely with the District and County councils with regard to traffic management, road safety and highway maintenance; and the police with regard to neighbourhood policing.

Remember you can call the parish clerk or any of the parish councillors to discuss problems or comment on village issues or contact us via this website.

Parish Councils are relatively recent.  Until 1894 the affairs of the parish were administered by vestry meetings held monthly in the church after Sunday morning service.  Originally they were responsible for the appointment of the village constable, the repair of the roads, the welfare of the poor, and the church.

After several legislative changes the Local Government Act of 1894 introduced parish
councils which have remained largely the same since that time.  The aim was to give everyone who paid domestic rates a voice in the election of parish councillors and benefit from the decisions taken.

Whilst the Parish Council looked after the civil side of the parish affairs the ecclesiastical matters were handled by the parochial church council. 

The first meeting of of Farnham Royal Parish Council took place in the school in Church Road with an attendance of over 100 residents..  Looking back over the minutes over the last century the issues raised are not too different from today including water, main drainage, postal deliveries, motor traffic, road safety, mineral extraction and  open spaces.